Public Notice

The Regulatory and Security Sciences (RSS) Main Hub project: Phase 2 – Public Comments Invited

June 9, 2025 – The authorities must determine whether the proposed The Regulatory and Security Sciences (RSS) Main Hub project: Phase 2, 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 July 9, 2025 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. Additional support buildings are planned for future implementation within the vicinity of 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 Commission (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 research and diagnostic testing in the following scientific areas:  

• the protection of human, plant and animal health

• food safety with a specialization in food chemistry 

• strengthened emergency preparedness

• enhanced border security

The full vision of the RSS Main program will be delivered in components. Funding has been secured for Component 1 of the Main Labs Building, guardhouse, central utility plant, pump station, site modifications and servicing and two support buildings. The 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 has begun and the current schedule is targeting project completion in 2031. 

Component 1 of the Main Labs Building will include approximately 26,235 square metres of gross floor area (GFA) and accommodate 229 full time employees at the 50% Detailed Design. This will be further refined during Detailed Design. 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.  

Subsequent components of the Main Labs Building, and 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. 

Phase 1 of the RSS Main Hub project consisted of preconstruction works to prepare the site for future project phases.  The initial enabling work was completed in fall 2024 to summer 2025 (posted on CIAR October 2024). 

This second phase of the RSS Main Hub project will consist of all construction activities to complete Component 1. The second phase of the project will include the following activities: 

• Construction of a main lab building, central utility plant, guardhouse, pump station and two pathogen free animal buildings 

• Excavation and soil stockpiling 

• Mobilization and utilisation of cranes 

• Culvert and watercourse modification 

• Creation of access roads on site 

• Staging area preparation including new trailers 

• Geothermal test pits and well drilling 

• Extending civil services (water, sewer, electricity) from Fallowfield and Greenbank 

• Security fence installation 

• Landscaping 

This second 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.