National Defence announces $29.5 million investment to upgrade facilities at Saint-Jean Garrison
News release
March 13, 2025 – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
On January 6, 2025, the Department of National Defence (DND) awarded a $29.5 million Energy Performance Contract (EPC) for the St-Jean Garrison, located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec.
This EPC will primarily see upgrades at the General Jean-Victor Allard building, known as the “Mega” complex, the central heating plant, and approximately 20 other, smaller buildings on the Garrison. Once implemented, these upgrades are expected to reduce the Garrison’s energy costs by approximately 27%, amounting to an estimated $870,000 saved on energy costs annually. Energy retrofits will also lower the Garrison’s current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by almost 5,500 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
Under this EPC, improvements at the Garrison will include:
- modernizing the central heating plant with partial electrification and heat recovery;
- modernizing garrison lighting;
- optimizing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls;
- enhancing airflow and ventilation;
- reducing hot water consumption; and
- improving building envelope performance.
The contract for this work was awarded to Johnson Controls International of Saint-Laurent, Québec. Construction is planned to begin in 2026, and we anticipate all retrofits and upgrades will be complete by 2028. St-Jean’s facilities will remain fully functional during construction with no impact on military operations.
EPCs are being implemented at DND buildings across Canada as an efficient and innovative way of reducing our energy consumption, operating costs, and to contribute to the federal government’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Quotes
“It is imperative that we provide the Canadian Armed Forces with modern, energy-efficient infrastructure at Defence installments across the country. Energy Performance Contracts are not only an investment in Canada’s green industry, but they also provide important infrastructure upgrades that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. We are committed to reducing our overall energy consumption and working toward a greener future for Canadians.”
The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
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Since 2015, DND has implemented 16 EPCs, and alongside our energy service company partners, have invested almost $548 million in energy and GHG reduction improvements.
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An EPC is a contract with an energy service company, where the company finances energy retrofits at DND and the Canadian Armed Forces installations and guarantees the savings. The savings from the reduction in energy costs are used to pay back the company over a five-to 15-year period, limiting upfront costs for the government.
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EPCs have been completed in Valcartier (2), Petawawa, Esquimalt, Greenwood, and Bagotville. In addition to St-Jean, EPCs are currently in-place in Shilo, Borden, Kingston, Halifax, Comox, Gagetown, Edmonton and Alert.
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Defence Construction Canada (DCC) is a Crown Corporation that provides contracting, contract management and related infrastructure services to DND.
Associated links
Contacts
Laurent de Casanove
Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: laurent.decasanove@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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