Changes

== Summary ==

== Summary ==

The Laboratories Canada Initiative (LCI) is a multi-year phased initiative for building and restoring federal science and technology (S&T) capacity in the GC. Previously named the [[Federal Science and Technology Infrastructure Initiative]], the core basis of Labs Canada was announced in the 2018 federal "science budget" which allocated an initial $2.8 billion to the initiative over a 5 year period.

The Laboratories Canada Initiative (LCI) is a multi-year phased initiative for building and restoring federal science and technology (S&T) capacity in the GC. Previously named the [[Federal Science and Technology Infrastructure Initiative]], the core basis of Labs Canada was announced in the [https://www.budget.gc.ca/2018/docs/plan/budget-2018-en.pdf 2018 federal "science budget"] which allocated an initial $2.8 billion to the initiative over a 5 year period. This initial allocation to Labs Canada was envisioned as the first part of a roughly 20-year initiative to rebuild and modernize federal laboratory capacity.

=== Background ===

=== Background ===

==== Preceding Projects ====

==== Preceding Projects ====

Much background work had been conducted prior to official the launch of FSTII/LCI in 2018 which informs the work and guiding principles Labs Canada today. Two noteworthy initiatives which influence Labs Canada today include the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Microbiology_Laboratory National Microbiology Laboratory] in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the [https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/sec-ces/atlantic-atlantique/index-eng.html Atlantic Science Entreprise Centre (ASEC)] in Moncton, New Brunswick.  

Much background work had been conducted prior to official the launch of FSTII/LCI in 2018 which informs the work and guiding principles of Labs Canada today. Two noteworthy initiatives which influence Labs Canada's director include the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Microbiology_Laboratory National Microbiology Laboratory] in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the [https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/sec-ces/atlantic-atlantique/index-eng.html Atlantic Science Entreprise Centre (ASEC)] in Moncton, New Brunswick.  

The NML was built well in advance of Labs Canada but embodies many of the desired principles at play for Labs Canada, operating an intermural and interdepartmental research facility that shares infrastructure where possible and widely bridges partnerships in the wider S&T community. By adopting this approach, NML was able to punch above its weight in its renewal. This includes for instance, being able to procurement of new facilities and equipment in excess of what might have otherwise been possible in a siloed approach, finding synergies that would allow it to deploy more advanced technology in its work.

The NML was built well in advance of Labs Canada but embodies many of the desired principles that are now at play for Labs Canada. The facility operates as an intermural and interdepartmental research facility that shares infrastructure where possible and bridges partnerships in the wider S&T community. By adopting this approach, NML was able to punch above its weight in its infrastructure renewal. This includes for instance, being able to procure cutting-edge new facilities and equipment in excess of what might have otherwise been possible in a siloed approach, where each of the component units bought infrastructure according to departmental needs alone. By finding synergies and clustering capacities, NML was empowered  to deploy more advanced technology in its work than would have otherwise been possible.

The ASEC is currently (2020) under construction and merges the physical and scientific infrastructure of existing Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) regional labs. The governance and planning of this project was well underway in advance of the announcement of Labs Canada and embodied many of the guiding principles of the heart of Labs Canada. As such, Labs Canada became involved in a supporting role for ASEC's organizational governance, using the opportunity to support the new laboratory construction and to build its own capacity. In some circles, ASEC is viewed as a Phase 0 for Labs Canada, preceding the official launch of new laboratory builds while still being closely intertwined with Labs Canada's early work.

The rewnewed ASEC is currently (2020) under construction and merges the physical and scientific infrastructure of existing Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) regional labs in Moncton. In addition to effectively clustering capacities, ASEC was remarkable for its success in partnering with other entities including educational institutions like [https://ingeniumcanada.org/ Ingenium] and locally-based researchers in other sectors. The governance and planning of this project was well underway in advance of the announcement of Labs Canada and embodied many of the guiding principles which formed the basis for the Labs Canada initiative. As such, Labs Canada became involved in a supporting role for ASEC's organizational governance, using the opportunity to support the new laboratory construction and to build its own capacity as a project management office. In some circles, ASEC is viewed as a Phase 0 for Labs Canada, preceding the official launch of new Labs Canada laboratory builds, while still being closely intertwined with Labs Canada's early work.

==== Phase 1 ====

==== Phase 1 ====

When taking in to account the most immediate infrastructure needs, the greatest opportunities for clustering capacities and the early guiding principle that existing labs should not be removed from the wider region in which they operate, Labs Canada opted to launch the first phase of its work centred around the National Capital Region. This has been underway since 2019 and involves the extensive task of talking stock of existing infrastructure, identifying and exploring potential clusterization opportunities and mapping out future S&T needs in accordance with departmental plans.  

Phase 1 was established by taking in to account the most dire S&T infrastructure needs, the greatest opportunities for clustering capacities and the early guiding principle that existing labs should not be removed from the wider region in which they operate. On that basis and after careful evaluation, Labs Canada opted to launch the first phase of its work centred around the National Capital Region. This first phase of Labs Canada has been underway since 2019 and involves the extensive task of talking stock of all existing infrastructure and security requirements, identifying and exploring potential clusterization opportunities and mapping out future S&T needs in accordance with departmental plans. Phase 1 initially generated a series of 5 (''source'') distinct clusters of S&T infrastructure capacities that would be grouped together in NCR lab rebuilds.  

==== Phase 2 and Beyond ====

==== Phase 2 and Beyond ====

The substance of Phase 2, and which labs will be eligible for participation in this phase, has been the subject of much speculation. Ultimately with Phase 1 still well underway, official announcements have yet to be made about the nature and participants of Phase 2. Phase 2 is currently funded under the initial budgetary allocation set aside in 2018 but question remain about the amount of funding that will remain after the completion of Phase 1. Given the magnitude of the Labs Canada renewal, subsequent phases will also depend on future budgetary allocations, a result of the design of the Labs Canada from the early outset. The initial funding for Labs Canada was set aside for the first 5-years of the renewal program which will bring it to the end of 2023, after which point the initiative will receive more direction from the political level in the form of a federal budget.  

The substance of Phase 2, and which labs will be eligible for participation in this phase, has been the subject of much speculation. Ultimately with Phase 1 still well underway, official announcements have yet to be made about the nature and participants of Phase 2. Phase 2 is currently funded under the initial budgetary allocation set aside in 2018 but question remain about the amount of funding that will remain after the completion of Phase 1. Given the magnitude of the Labs Canada renewal, subsequent phases will also depend on future budgetary allocations, a result of the design of the Labs Canada from the early outset. The initial funding for Labs Canada was set aside for the first 5-years of the renewal program which will bring it to the end of 2023, after which point the initiative will receive more direction from the political level in the form of a federal budget.  

Governance

=== Governance ===

 

Labs Canada is housed at Public Works and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and operates within its organizational structure, specifically under the Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch. Although the initiative is most closely related to Science-Based Departments and Agencies (SBDAs), due to the extensive real-property component of the initiative, it falls into PSPC's mandate. While closely involved in the properties themselves, Labs Canada allows the federal scientific community to take the lead on clusterization of capacities among itself. This included the heavy involvement of DMSC as a convener and coordinator in early stages. Labs Canada also has a group of consultants from the scientific and governance communities which assist in convening SBDAs, establishing synergies and developing clusters. With that being said, much of the initiative for the development of clusters comes from the labs and SBDAs themselves, with those closest to the ground having the most in-depth knowledge of where prospective clusters might be and how best they could be realized.

 

Results to Date