Public Notice

TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE HUB – PHASE 2: MAIN BUILDING – Public Comments Invited

November 11, 2025 – The authorities must determine whether the proposed TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE HUB – PHASE 2: MAIN BUILDING, located in Ottawa 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 December 21, 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

PROJECT OVERVIEW.

In 2018, the federal government of Canada created the Laboratories Canada (Labs Canada), a long-term strategy to modernize federal laboratories and position Canada as a global leader in science and innovation. The Transportation Safety and Technology Science (TSTS) Hub is being undertaken as part of this initiative to collaborate with industry to advance new safety technologies and reduce safety risks in transportation like ships, trains, planes, and helicopters. ​​

The TSTS is a new facility that will be built on the National Research Canada (NRC) Campus and will combine the functions of the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) and the NRC to enhance scientific collaboration. ​This partnership will create opportunities to strengthen independent, but complementary outcomes through greater access to specialized spaces and equipment. ​

In response to the introduction of two major Labs Canada hubs onto the NRC Campus (TSTS and TerraCanada), the disposal of lands by the NRC and the rapid urbanization that has occurred surrounding the campus boundaries, the National Capital Commission (NCC) requested, reviewed and approved an updated Master Plan prepared by PSPC in collaboration with the NRC and Labs Canada, with a revised vision and mission statements for the campus.  The plan outlines several guidelines and strategies to move the campus towards achieving greater sustainability and reaching the goals established in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.  The plan includes a main spine or ‘Greenway' that connects the north and south of the campus by creating a unifying landscaped corridor.  Howlett Street and Macallum Street were identified to create this green spine that will connect existing open spaces on the campus.

The TSTS Hub will contribute towards achieving a modernized Government of Canada's (GoC) real property portfolio, in alignment with all key GoC priorities.​

The TSTS building will be 21,619 square meters of gross floor area (GFA) and estimated to accommodate 261 full-time employees. The overall development of the TSTS Hub is anticipated to increase the number of employees on the campus. Parking will increase, but at a proportionally lower rate.

Phase 1 of the TSTS facility consisted of preconstruction works to prepare the site for future project phases. The initial enabling work started in the fall of 2025, and it is set to be completed in the summer of 2026 (posted on CIAR July 2025). 

The Phase 2 work is planned to start around Spring to Summer 2026.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) will oversee Phase 2 of the overarching TSTS Hub project on federal land as the lead authority, with reviews, permits, and approval from federal agencies as required.  In addition to PSPC, Phase 2 of the project will also be reviewed under the Impact Assessment Act by the NRC as landowner and provider of authorizations in such capacity, and by the NCC as provider of Federal Approvals under the National Capital Act.

PHASE 2: MAIN PROJECT BUILDING.

The current facility design has been developed in consideration of the Campus Master Plan to create a distinctive image that enhances the local neighborhood and establishes a hub for the north campus. It includes a balance of flexible, adaptable, and scalable laboratory spaces and meets key scientific objectives, programming goals, operational models, and sustainable whole-building design ambitions for the users in accordance with principles identified in Labs Canada's Repeatable Laboratory Design Framework document. 

The TSTS facility design considers building life cycle cost and endurance as well as initial capital inputs. These sustainability metrics align with LEED, Fitwel, and the Labs Canada goals for the TSTS Hub.

This second phase of the TSTS Hub project will consist of all construction activities to complete the facility. The second phase of the project will include the following activities:

• Construction of the main building, including mechanical and electrical systems
• Excavation and soil stockpiling
• Mobilization and utilization of cranes
• Site grading and drainage improvements
• Stormwater management infrastructure (including underground storage tank) and decontamination tank system
• Roadway adjustments and paving for internal campus access
• Utility connections (water, sewer, electrical, and telecom)
• Staging areas and temporary trailers for construction crews
• Permanent fencing with controlled access points to yard, storage areas, shed and bulk liquid nitrogen tank infrastructure;
• Parking lot adjustments and signage
• Integration of building systems with campus utilities
• Landscaping