Four pillars of Laboratories Canada

Laboratories Canada will strengthen science collaboration among federal scientists, national and international science and technology partners and stakeholders. This 25-year strategy is based on four pillars that will facilitate collaboration, position federal scientists at the forefront of new discoveries, improve service delivery and allow federal scientists to continue the important work they do on behalf of Canadians.

Figure 1 – Four pillars of Laboratories Canada

Figure 1. Four pillars of Laboratories Canada

Figure 1 - Text version

This image highlights the key elements of the Laboratories Canada strategy. Science, the primary driver for Laboratories Canada, is surrounded by four pillars, each with a brief description:

  • Facilities
    • Build leading-edge, collaborative, accessible and sustainable facilities
  • Equipment
    • Promote sharing and streamline procurement of major equipment
  • IM/IT
    • Modernize IM/IT systems to meet evolving science needs
  • Barriers
    • Address barriers to S&T that inhibit collaboration

 

Facilities

 

Many federal laboratories are outdated, and some are unable to meet the needs of science programs or have up-to-date tools for scientists to complete their work in service of Canada and Canadians. Changes are occurring in the way research and regulatory work is carried out, and Canada’s science infrastructure needs to keep pace. A $2.8- billion investment for the first phase of the 25-year Laboratories Canada’s work will help meet the evolving needs of science to create leading-edge and adaptable spaces with modern information management and information technology (IM/IT) systems.

The creation of world-class national networks of federal, leading edge, collaborative, accessible and sustainable facilities will ensure that federal scientists will be better equipped to make important scientific contributions that positively impact the lives of Canadians.

Equipment

Laboratories Canada will support scientists by facilitating the sharing of scientific equipment and establishing collaborative procurement opportunities, which will give greater access to cutting-edge technology.

The government is partnering with the Canada Foundation for Innovation to include federal science facilities and equipment as part of the Research Facilities Navigator. The Navigator supports the sharing of facilities and equipment needed for scientific research. This practical collaboration enables individuals to find the facility and equipment they need for scientific purposes.

Information management and information technology

The government is sensitive to the technology needs of the federal science community and recognizes the critical importance of IM/IT.

IM/IT capacity is critical in enabling modern science. The science conducted within Laboratories Canada facilities will be supported by secure information technology (IT) environments that will deliver the most critical science requirements, including IT, data management services and collaboration services.

To address this pillar, Public Services and Procurement Canada is leading an integrated approach to science requirement validation to ensure that science investments are appropriately leveraged, and that a secure IT environment supports the needs of federal science.

Barriers

Laboratories Canada is working with federal departments and agencies to reduce barriers to science and technology collaboration through the clarification of government policies and procedures.

Work with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has led to the development of the Guide to the Management of Scientific Equipment to better support equipment lifecycle management and to develop a federal database of scientific equipment, which would support identification and sharing of scientific equipment and services in national emergencies.

TBS has also released the Guide to Departmental Collaboration with Recipients of Grants and Contributions in support of science collaboration across sectors in the context of transfer payments.