Public Notice

The Regulatory and Security Sciences (RSS) Main Hub project: Phase 1 – Public Comments Invited

September 13, 2024 – The authorities must determine whether the proposed The Regulatory and Security Sciences (RSS) Main Hub project: Phase 1, located in Ottawa, ON is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the authorities are inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by October 13, 2024 to:

Environment, Health and Safety

Public Services and Procurement Canada

11 Laurier St, Portage III, Place du Portage
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0S5

Email: TPSGC.RCNLVEEListedeControle-NCRECMPChecklist.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

In 2018, the federal government of Canada created the Laboratories Canada (Labs Canada) initiative and established a 25-year strategy to deliver on its vision to strengthen federal sciences in Canada. The strategy focuses on achieving scientific excellence through creating a national network of modern and multipurpose scientific infrastructure.

The Regulatory and Security Sciences (RSS) Main Hub project will house four Science Based Departments and Agencies (SBDAs) from separate aging facilities located throughout the National Capital Region. Canadian Boarder Service Agency (CBSA), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada (HC), and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will all operate out of the RSS Main building. Thirteen additional support buildings are planned for future implementation within the vicinity on the Main building located at Fallowfield Rd. between Greenbank Rd. and Cedarview Rd. The site is currently the location of the CFIA's Fallowfield Laboratory Ottawa, situated on 20ha of rural land designated by the National Capital Comission (NCC) as the Greenbelt within the National Capital Region. 

The RSS Main Hub project will provide federal scientists across several departments and agencies with a leading-edge, multi-purpose, sustainable and collaborative facility to complement existing government science laboratories and capabilities. The new RSS Main Hub will focus on distinct areas of scientific research, including: 

• the protection of human, plant and animal health 

• food safety with a specialization in food chemistry 

• strengthened emergency preparedness 

• enhanced border security 

The RSS Main Hub encompasses three Components of the Main Labs Building, thirteen additional support buildings, new guardhouse, site modifications and servicing. Only Component 1 of the Main Lab Building and associated landscape has secured funding to be further developed and its developed design will be subject to a federal approval from the NCC. The Central Utility Plant and the two Specific Pathogen Free Animal Buildings will also be subject to federal approval(s) from the NCC.  Work on RSS Component 1 is targeted  to start in late fall 2024 and the current schedule is targeting project completion in 2031..

Component 1 of the Main Labs Building will include approximately 36,924 square meters of gross floor area (GFA) and accommodate 156 full time employees at the 100% Schematic Design.  This will be refined during the Detailed Design Phase.  The overall development of the RSS Main Hub is anticipated to increase the number of employees at the campus. Parking will increase, but at a proportionally lower rate, in a first step towards a balanced modal split.

Components 2 and 3 of the Main Labs Building, and the 11 additional support buildings have not secured funding at this time to be further developed, but when they do, they will also be subject to federal approvals from the NCC.

 

This initial phase of the RSS Main Hub project will consist of preconstruction works to prepare the site for future project phases. The initial enabling work is planned for late fall 2024 to Summer 2025 permitting. The enabling work will consist of the following:

• clearing and grubbing; tree removals;
• installing silt fences, frog fences and implementing mitigation measures that will remain in place for the duration of the project to protect species at risk;
• widening the existing farm access road from Cedarview Rd. to the site, constructing staging area, and placing granular material to prepare the site for future project phases.
• installing fencing around farm access road and construction staging area
• installing 3 small office trailers and washroom trailer beside the farm access road at the Cedarview entrance
• Topsoil removal and stockpiling beside farm access road
• Installing and replacing culverts along the farm access road
• Installing a watermain under the farm access road
• Making test geothermal holes

This initial enabling phase of the RSS Main Hub project will be implemented by Public Services and Procurement Canada, as lead authority, on CFIA land, with permits from Environment and Climate Change Canada (species at risk permits for Monarch, Bats, Western Chorus Frog), authorization from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and a Federal Approval from the NCC.