Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre

Learn how Public Services and Procurement Canada and its science partners through the Laboratories Canada strategy are building a world-class scientific research hub in Moncton, New Brunswick to better protect Canada’s coastal ecosystems and grow the blue economy.

Project overview

Location: 343 Université Avenue, Moncton, New Brunswick
Type of project: Construction and redevelopment
Lead department: Public Services and Procurement Canada
Design and construction firms: Diamond Schmitt for design services and Pomerleau Inc. for construction services.
Project status: In full construction
Next step: Construction of the science wing is underway.

Project description

The Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC) is a lead project of the Laboratories Canada strategy. As part of this project, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is redeveloping the Gulf Fisheries Centre into a multi-partner collaborative research and office facility.

ASEC is strengthening federal science through collaboration. PSPC is working with our partners to replace failing 80-year-old lab infrastructure with modern facilities to better protect Canada’s coastal ecosystems and grow the blue economy.

ASEC will be equipped with modern lab spaces and technology, offices, and workspaces for over 700 employees from four (4) federal organizations including:

Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
National Research Council

The Canadian Space Agency will participate in ASEC as a virtual partner.

The Government of Canda is committed to advancing reconciliation and preserving our shared heritage. We are helping advance these commitments by building ASEC in a way that honours the cultural heritage of the Gulf Fisheries Centre and College Notre Dame d’Acadie and of the Indigenous Peoples of this place for millennia.

Project timeline

The ASEC facility is being constructed in phases so that the legacy Gulf Fisheries Centre can remain operational during construction, allowing for science and research to continue.

Phase 1: site preparation (began early 2023; completed 2024)
Phase 2: construction of the new science wing (began 2024; scheduled completion in 2028)
Phase 3: deconstruction of Gulf Fisheries Centre and construction of the remainder of the ASEC facility (beginning in 2028; scheduled completion in 2032)

Completion of the ASEC project is scheduled for 2032.

Milestones

August 2017: The federal government announced the creation of ASEC at the Gulf Fisheries Centre.
September 2020: PSPC received Project Approval leading to the preparation of two Requests for Proposals for design and construction management services, respectively.
December 2021: Following a fair, open, and transparent tendering process, PSPC awarded the design and construction management services contracts:
- Architecture and Engineering services: Diamond Schmitt Architects. Contract value of $23.6 million (taxes included)
- Construction management services base contract (constructability advice): Pomerleau Inc. Contract value of $5.8 million.
Fall 2022: Unveiling of (schematic design for the new facility.
July 2023:The Government of Canada broke ground on ASEC, making the start of site preparations for major construction activities.
August 2023: A private Mass and site blessing ceremony took place at the Gulf Fisheries Centre, representing the closure the first chapter in the Gulf Fisheries Centre’s history and launching its new path as a collaborative science centre.
February 2024: Detailed design was completed, launching the construction and tendering documents phase.
September 2024: PSPC exercised the $314 million Construction Management contract option for initiating major construction.
November 2024: The launch of the next stage in the construction of the science wing was announced.

Benefits to Canadians

Canada’s coastal ecosystems are vital to our environment, economy, and way of life. The Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre will bring together the brightest minds to safeguard these ecosystems for future generations.

By working with scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, industry leaders, and environmental experts, ASEC will drive innovative research to tackle the pressing challenges facing our waters—rising ocean temperatures, biodiversity loss, and the impact of human activity.

Through this collaboration, ASEC will not only strengthen environmental protection but also support the industries and communities that depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems. Fisheries, coastal economies, and the broader blue economy will benefit from science-driven solutions that ensure long-term sustainability.

ASEC is more than just a research facility, it’s a commitment to protecting Canada’s freshwater and marine ecosystems, ensuring they remain resilient and abundant for generations to come.

To learn more about Laboratories Canada and the benefits of ASEC, please visit: Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre (ASEC)

Greening of Government

ASEC, as a Laboratories Canada project, demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability.

A net zero carbon ready design and a climate risk assessment will support the facility’s low carbon operations and climate resiliency.
A whole building lifecycle assessment will incorporate embodied carbon reduction for construction materials, including through mass timber features
ASEC will divert the vast majority of construction waste from landfills.
Design and construction of the ASEC facility will target Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification and Fitwel healthy building certification.

Indigenous engagement

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
ASEC has Indigenous Participation Plans (IPPs) for Design and Construction Management Services contracts, which will see a combined value of over $60 million flowing through to Indigenous businesses and communities.
The project also incorporates Indigenous elements into the design and operation of the facility through ongoing collaboration with Indigenous partners in New Brunswick.

Inclusive Design

ASEC is following a universal design approach to establish a welcoming and accessible environment for all users.

Video: New federal science centre in Moncton (at preliminary design stage)

New federal science centre in Moncton (at preliminary design stage)—Transcript

Start of video

[Music plays]

(Text on screen: Public Services and Procurement Canada)

(Text on screen: Future Home Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre)

(Text on screen: Futur site Centre d’entreprise des sciences de l’Atlantique)

(Text on screen: Ta'n Tett Wikitisk Tjatjigtogeoei Science Enterpriseoogom)

[A digital flythrough of a new government building complex is shown as though walking around the building. Trees and friendly outdoor space pass by in front of the modern structure.]

(Text on screen: New federal science centre in Moncton—State-of-the-art and eco-efficient design)

(Text on screen: This new facility will advance the understanding, protection, and sustainability of Atlantic freshwater and coastal ecosystems for future generations.)

[The viewpoint shifts to the front of the building to observe the incorporation of the original building’s façade and the new science annex. Digital renderings of people wandering about the grounds and enjoying the landscape are displayed.]

(Text on screen: The façade of the original facility will be reconstructed in commemoration of the former Collège Notre-Dame-d'Acadie, as it is an important symbol of Acadian heritage and is a prominent community landmark.)

(Text on screen: Four science-based organizations will occupy this facility upon completion. They include the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the National Research Council. The Canadian Space Agency will also participate virtually.)

[Descriptive text: The point of view moves to the front main lobby, where a skeleton of a North Atlantic right whale is displayed. This skeleton will serve as a dramatic reminder of why we must work so diligently to protect the health of our oceans and the species that live within them.

(Text on screen: A skeleton of a North Atlantic right whale will be on exhibit in the lobby.)

(Text on screen: In this bright, open space, design elements from different groups with ties to this building and place will be on display.)

(Text on screen: To create a welcoming environment, the auditorium will be designed with huge windows exposing the outside green landscape and a large multi-purpose room that could be partitioned for community activities and large gatherings.)

[Descriptive text: The point of view pans to show the south side of the building and gathering space before pulling back to show the full beauty of the building.]

(Text on screen: The Atlantic Science Enterprise Centre is expected to be fully operational by 2031.)

[Music stops]

(Text on screen: Check us out: facebook.com/PSPC.SPAC, instagram.com/pspc_spac, twitter.com/pspc_spac, youtube.com/PWGSCanada)

(Public Services and Procurement Canada signature)

(Canada Wordmark)

End of video