Public Notice

TerraCanada National Capital Area (TC NCA) Phase 2 – Public Comments Invited

March 2, 2026 – The authorities must determine whether the proposed TerraCanada National Capital Area (TC NCA) 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 Apri 1, 2026 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 Laboratories Canada (LabsCanada), a long-term strategy to modernize federal laboratories. This initiative seeks to position Canada as a global leader in science and innovation, through the creation of a national network of modern laboratories. The TerraCanada Hub will promote collaboration between complementary federal science departments and academia to advance the sustainable development of land and resources, including critical minerals, to strengthen Canada's resilience, sovereignty and green economy through collaborative research and innovation. 

The project is located at the National Research Council (NRC) Montreal Road Campus in Ottawa, Ontario, at the southwest corner of Montreal Road and Blair Road. The area is characterized by a mix of residential neighborhoods, institutional campuses, and commercial corridors. The region benefits from access to public transit, active transportation networks, and proximity to healthcare and educational institutions. The project promises transformative benefits for Canadians by fostering innovation, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience.    

The full vision of the TC NCA project will be delivered in components. Funding has been secured for Component 1 that includes a stand-alone facility with parking lots, loading areas, driveways, roadways and pedestrian pathways. The area of the building is expected to be 33,564 m2 and PSPC will be the custodian of the building. 

The construction of Component 1 will be carried out in a series of distinct phases. Phase 1 of the TC NCA project consisted of enabling and early works to prepare the site, including excavation and site services for storm, sanitary, and water infrastructure; site clearing and tree protection; channel realignment; roadway adjustments; installation of temporary construction facilities; and early utility and geothermal field loop installation. These activities establish the necessary groundwork for future project phases. The initial enabling work is set to start in Spring 2026.  

 

PHASE 2: MAIN PROJECT BUILDING. 

The TC NCA facility design for the TerraCanada Hub has been developed in alignment with the NRC Campus Master Plan to create a distinctive presence that enhances the local neighbourhood and establishes a new science hub within the main NRC Montreal Road Campus. The design balances flexible, adaptable, and scalable laboratory spaces and meets key scientific objectives, programming goals, operational models, and whole‑building sustainability ambitions consistent with LabsCanada's Repeatable Laboratory Design Framework. 

This second phase of the TC NCA project will consist of all construction activities required to complete the facility. Phase 2 of the project will include the following activities: 

• Construction of structural steel and mass timber building, including mechanical and elecrical systems and fit-up. 

• Grading and landscape including irrigation (if required) 

• Internal Roadways, sidewalks and active modes connections  

• Parking lots and loading areas  

• Site lighting  

• Fences and gates  

• Retaining Wall 

• Pick-up/drop-off shelter 

PSPC will oversee Phase 2 and subsequent phases of the TC NCA overarching project on federal land as lead authority, with reviews, permits, and approval from federal agencies as required.  In addition to PSPC, Phase 2 and subsequent phases of the TC NCA overarching project will also be reviewed under the Impact Assessment Act by the NRC as the current landowner and provider of authorizations in such capacity, and by the National Capital Commission (NCC) as provider of Federal Approvals under the National Capital Act to enable the undertaking.