GATINEAU, QUE. – From Franklin expedition relics to artifacts like Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s hockey sweater, works by Norval Morrisseau, and a test rocket from the Avro Arrow program, Canada’s Cultural Heritage Science (CHS) facility plays an important role in our heritage.
Such is the reason why the federal government has announced it is building a new facility on vacant federal land at 51 Sacré-Coeur Boulevard in Gatineau, Que.
Located directly behind the historic National Printing Bureau, the 18,000-square-metre facility will integrate purpose-built laboratories, workshops, offices and specialized technologies designed to meet the complex needs of heritage science, including field investigations, scientific analysis and the preservation of culturally significant objects, states a release.
Once finished, it will merge approximately 170 employees, including scientists and experts in heritage conservation from Parks Canada, the Canadian Conservation Institute and the Canadian Heritage Information Network. Staff will be relocated from two outdated facilities within the National Capital Area.
The government reports procurement planning is underway for the CHS facility with a request for proposal expected to be released in fall 2025 and final selection in fall 2026. Timelines for construction will be determined in consultation with the final contract awardee.
The facility’s site selection was guided by dialogue with the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation and supported by the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council. This investment is part of Canada’s broader commitment to modernizing federal science infrastructure through the Laboratories Canada strategy.
