Government of Canada invests in new defence research facility in Valcartier
The Government of Canada is investing in defence infrastructure to provide our scientists with the modern, functional, and green facilities they need to continue cutting-edge defence research well into the future.
Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board, highlighted the beginning of construction of a new research facility to modernize the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Centre in Valcartier, Que. The $144-million construction contract was awarded to EBC Inc., of Québec City and is expected to create over 750 jobs and economic benefits for the region.
Work under this construction contract is phase one of a three-phase, $272-million project to upgrade the DRDC Valcartier Research Centre. Phase one includes construction of a 31,000-m2 research complex, which will feature approximately 80 new multi-disciplinary laboratories, as well as office and storage spaces. Once completed, this new research facility will consolidate nearly 500 defence scientists from different locations on-site into one centrally-located building with modern, collaborative research spaces.
Upgrading these research facilities will enable DRDC personnel to continue innovating in the fast-paced research and development environment they operate in. Their research spans information systems, tactical surveillance and reconnaissance, weapons systems and vehicle and personnel protection systems, and more, all aimed at meeting the future science and technology needs of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).