Status report on transformational and major Crown projects
Canadian High Arctic Research Station
Description: In the 2007 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada emphasized that there are both new opportunities and new challenges in the North, and indicated it would bring forward an integrated Northern Strategy focused on strengthening Canada's sovereignty, protecting environmental heritage, promoting economic and social development, and improving and devolving governance. The Government also promised 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, it was announced that Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, would be the location for the Canadian High Arctic Research Station campus.
Architectural design, construction, equipment, and furniture for Canadian High Arctic Research Station campus, as well as the implementation of the science and technology program are estimated at a value of approximately $250 million up to and including 2017-18. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is responsible for delivering on the architectural design, construction, equipment, and furniture for the campus at an estimated total cost of $204.8 million. The remaining $46.2 million for implementation of the science and technology program was initially administered by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and is now administered by Polar Knowledge Canada.
The Canadian High Arctic Research Station campus, now largely operational, is bringing an enhanced level of research and analysis to Canada's North.
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 Canadian High Arctic Research Station. 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 are being respected in the implementation of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station initiative.
Inuit Benefit Plans have been used as the key mechanism to deliver on Nunavut Land Claims Agreement obligations in procurement related to Canadian High Arctic Research Station, including the construction project, equipment procurement, and leased housing. This approach includes implementation of an Inuit Human Resources Plan that identifies targets for Inuit labour force participation, an Inuit Skills Development Plan for on-the-job training, and an Inuit Business Plan which provides for contracts to be awarded to Inuit-owned firms. To complete the construction of the CHARS campus, over 219,000 hours of Inuit employment worth over $7 million dollars have contributed to the Inuit Benefits Plan. Skills development activities worth $400,000 have been undertaken and $51.5 million in construction contracts have been awarded to firms registered under Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
Sponsoring department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
Contracting authority: Public Services and Procurement Canada
Participating departments: Not applicable
Prime contractor: EllisDon Corporation (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) in joint venture with NCC Dowland Construction Ltd. (Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada).
Major subcontractors: Subcontracting managed by the EllisDon Corporation (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
Project phase:
Design: Budget 2010 provided $18 million over four years for the design of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station. EVOQ architects (previously known as Fournier Gersovitz Moss Drolet et associés architects) and NFOE et associés architectes, operating as a joint venture, were awarded the design consultant contract through a competitive and transparent bidding process. The design phase of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station began in 2011-12 and was completed in 2014-15 following the receipt of the 100 percent design.
Construction: The construction of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station began on schedule in summer 2014. The construction manager (EllisDon Corporation in joint venture with NCC Dowland Construction Ltd.) mobilized labour, delivered equipment to the site, and secured material and long lead-time items (such as structural steel) during the 2014 construction season. Construction started on the Field and Maintenance Building and the Triplex Accommodation Buildings at this time, and interior work began on the Triplex Accommodation Buildings. Material brought on sealift in fall 2014 allowed construction on the Main Research Building (the largest and most complex of the buildings on the CHARS campus) to begin in spring 2015. In September 2015, the foundation for the Main Research Building was completed and the structural steel was erected. Work continued throughout 2017-18 to complete construction, including the integration of Inuit artwork in the flooring, in the glazing and a large sculpture in the vestibule of the Main Research Building.
In November 2015, the two Triplex accommodation buildings were completed and have since been in use by Polar Knowledge Canada. The Field and Maintenance Building was completed by March 2017 and Polar Knowledge Canada has been occupying the building since April 2017. Performance inspections of the Main Research Building occurred in the fourth quarter of 2017-18 and the CHARS campus is expected to be fully operational in the summer of 2018.
| Major milestones | Date |
|---|---|
| Creation of CHARS announced | Speech from the Throne 2007 |
| 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 | September 2011 |
| Request for proposal (RFP) for design consultant tendered | September 2011 |
| RFP for design consultant closed | November 2011 |
| Design consultant contract announced | August 2012 |
| RFP for construction management services tendered | November 2012 |
| RFP for construction management services closed | December 2012 |
| Site announced in Cambridge Bay | February 2013 |
| Construction management contract for advisory services awarded | June 2013 |
| Construction management contract for constructor services awarded | May 2014 |
| Begin site preparation | June 2014 |
| Begin construction | August 2014 |
| Complete design development | January 2015 |
| Complete land acquisition in Cambridge Bay | March 2015 |
| Complete Triplex Accommodation Buildings | November 2015 |
| Complete Field and Maintenance Building | March 2017 |
| Complete Main Research Building | July 2018 |
Progress report and explanation of variances: Performance inspections, including those for the mechanical and electrical systems of the Main Research Building occurred in the fourth quarter of 2017-18. In June 2018, partial substantial performance was granted and access was allowed to the Main Research Building. The final phase of construction is focused on outstanding items, including aspects of the mechanical systems and civil works (i.e. outside road and landscaping).