November 29, 2024

Moncton, New Brunswick – Today marks a major milestone for the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) as construction officially begins on the facility's science wing.

Following site preparation that began in 2023, this significant step is celebrated by the presence the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Associate Minister of National Defence. 

Designed by Diamond Schmitt, in collaboration with EXP, ASEC has been developed through visioning sessions and meaningful engagement with local Indigenous community members and representatives from the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur, founders of the former College Notre Dame d’Acadie. Located on the site of the existing Gulf Fisheries Centre, ASEC maintains the heritage façade of the original building. 
 
While the centre honors heritage, Diamond Schmitt has also designed ASEC with sustainability at its core. Targeting LEED Gold certification and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, the design incorporates mass timber construction, which contributes to minimizing the carbon footprint associated with traditional building materials.  

ASEC also reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to modernizing scientific infrastructure. “As part of the Laboratories Canada strategy, the Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre represents a significant investment in Atlantic Canada’s science infrastructure. By building modern, sustainable facilities that bring together various departments and agencies under one roof, federal scientists are being provided with the tools they need for a strong, collaborative future for Canadian innovation.” Mentions The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement 

Once complete, ASEC will accommodate over 700 scientists from five federal organizations including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the National Research Council of Canada, offering state-of-the-art laboratory spaces, offices, and other workspaces. This will foster multi-disciplinary collaboration on understanding, protecting and sustaining Atlantic freshwater and coastal ecosystems in Canada. 

With an estimated budget of $600 million, ASEC is one of the largest federal investments in Atlantic Canada since the Confederation Bridge. The project will be completed in three phases, allowing the current facility to remain operational throughout the process. Construction of the final phase is expected to begin in 2028, with full occupancy targeted for 2032, and will deliver state-of-the-art labs and workspaces while driving significant economic growth in the region. 
 
Read the official press release here.