Archived - Status Report on Transformational and Major Crown Projects
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Project Name: Canadian High Arctic Research Station
Description
In the 2007 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada emphasized that there were both new opportunities and new challenges in the North. The government proposed an integrated Northern Strategy focused on strengthening Canada's sovereignty, protecting environmental heritage, promoting economic and social development, and improving and devolving governance. A key deliverable of this new strategy was the Government's commitment to "build a world-class arctic research station that will be on the cutting edge of arctic issues, including environmental science and resource development. This station will be built by Canadians, in Canada's Arctic, and it will be there to serve the world". In August 2010, the Prime Minister announced that Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, would be the location for the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS).
On August 23, 2012, the Prime Minister announced a new investment for the next phases of the CHARS: $142.4 million for the construction, equipment, and fit-up of the research station and $46.2 million over six years for the phase-in of the Science and Technology Program. An additional $26.5 million per year has been set aside, as of 2018–2019, for the ongoing program and operations.
In Spring 2014, the contract for the construction of CHARS was awarded, and on August 23, 2014, the Prime Minister participated in a ground-breaking ceremony, officially launching the construction of the facility.
CHARS will be operational by 2017 to coincide with Canada's 150th anniversary.
Project Outcomes
- The objective of this project is to provide researchers with access to a world-class arctic science and technology platform in the Canadian North by establishing the CHARS. Performance indicators will be developed as part of the business case to confirm this objective has been reached.
- Beneficiaries of this project include scientists, Northerners and all Canadians.
Industrial Benefits
- Design and construction of the research station will provide jobs in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut, across the North, and in specialized sectors in southern Canada.
- Canada's consultation and procurement obligations as specified in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act will be respected in the implementation of the CHARS initiative. Inuit and Northern participation in the construction of the research station will be a fundamental component of the bidding process. Local and regional businesses will benefit from goods and services procurement, and an Inuit training and capacity-building plan that addresses the requirements of the land claim is being developed.
- The continued participation of Northerners in the planning and construction of the CHARS, and in future science and technology programming, internships, and employment at the station, will provide Northerners with new skills and career experience.
Sponsoring Department
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Contracting Authority
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Participating Departments
Not Applicable
Prime Contractor
The contract for advisory services during the design of CHARS was awarded to the EllisDon Corporation (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) in joint venture with NCC Dowland Ltd. (Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada).
Major Subcontractors
Subcontracting managed by the EllisDon Corporation (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada).
Project Phase
Construction: On August 23, 2014, the Prime Minister participated in a ground-breaking ceremony, officially launching the construction of the facility.
| Major Milestones | Dates |
|---|---|
| Creation of a Canadian High Arctic Research Station announced | 2007 Speech from the Throne |
| CHARS Feasibility: $2 million over 2 years | Budget 2009 |
| CHARS Design: $18 million over 4 years | Budget 2010 |
| Cambridge Bay location announced by Prime Minister | August 2010 |
| CHARS mandate announced by Minister | December 2010 |
| Feasibility Study released on Science.gc.ca | September 2011 |
| Request for proposal (RFP) for Design Consultant tendered | September 2011 |
| RFP for Design Consultant closed | November 2011 |
| Design Consultant proposals evaluated — Phase 1 | December 2011 |
| Seek Decisions on construction funding | Winter 2012 |
| Design Consultant Proposals evaluated — Phase 2 | February 2012 |
| Design Consultant contract announced | August 2012 |
| RFP for Construction Management Services tendered | November 2012 |
| RFP for Construction Management Services closed | December 2012 |
| RFP for Construction Management Services evaluated | January 2013 |
| Site announced in Cambridge Bay | February 2013 |
| Consultation with Cambridge Bay residents | February 2013 |
| Construction Management contract for Advisory Services awarded | June 2013 |
| Complete design development | Winter 2014 |
| Construction Management contract for Construction Management Services awarded | May 2014 |
| Prepare construction drawings | Spring 2014 |
| Site preparation | Summer 2014 |
| Ground breaking to launch construction | August 2014 |
| Complete land acquisition in Cambridge Bay | Fall 2014 |
| Finalize design | 2014–2015 |
| Operational by 150th anniversary of Confederation | July 1, 2017 |
| Commissioning complete | 2018 |
Progress report and explanation of variances
- On August 23, 2012, the Prime Minister announced funding of $142.4 million over six years (beginning in 2012) for the construction, equipment, and fit-up of CHARS. The design firm that was awarded the project was also announced.
- In June 2013, the EllisDon Corporation in joint venture with NCC Dowland Construction Ltd. was awarded with the contract to provide advisory services throughout the design and construction of CHARS.
- In August 2014, the Prime Minister participated in a ground-breaking ceremony, officially launching the construction of the facility.
- The CHARS Major Crown Project is currently on budget and is expected to be operational by 2017.