Charting the Future Direction of National Microbiological Reference Services in Canada

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Appendix C-The New Federal Laboratory Facility

The Federal Laboratory Facility under construction in Winnipeg will co-locate Health Canada and Agriculture Canada laboratories. When complete, the facility will house the only Level 4 bio-containment laboratory in Canada-and will be one of eight such laboratories internationally.

A highlight of the forum was the opportunity for participants to tour the federal laboratory facility under construction in Winnipeg. The tour and a reception was hosted by Smith Carter Architects and Engineers. LCDC was particularly pleased that some of the scientists, specialists and clinicians who will be relocating to Winnipeg were able to see, first hand, their new environment-as a work in process.

On display in the reception area were the conceptual model, artist's rendering and colour-coded floor plans for the facility, as were samples of some of the innovative construction, wiring, and plumbing methods employed to meet the very stringent requirements. Levels 2, 3, and 4 agriculture and health laboratories were toured, as were the Health Canada administrative offices and auditorium. This evening represented a unique opportunity to view what will become largely a top-level security restricted area and a national centre of scientific talent and research capability.

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