Details scarce on federal labs fund

Treasury Board is keeping the $250-million infrastructure fund for federal laboratories under tight wraps in stark contrast to the relatively transparent process now underway for its larger university infrastructure fund. No announcements are planned until the final decisions on funding recipients are announced. Results are anticipated in the spring.

"We're launching a process with departments for projects that are already planned and well-developed," says a Treasury Board spokesperson. "We're developing criteria for funding in support of laboratories ... It's part of an ambitious, multi-year action plan."

The five labs identified in recent Budget documents are among the ones being considered for funding.

While the fund is meant primarily for labs that perform a core regulatory function, non-regulatory labs are also eligible if departments can present a solid business case for transfer to the university of private sectors.

Last year's report by an Independent Panel of Experts on candidates for early transfer of federal labs called for the modernization of labs through infrastructure renewal — a recommendation that applies only to non-regulatory laboratories (R$, June 20/08)

To date, just two of the five labs identified by the Expert Panel have begun the process of transfer to the university sector.

In 2005, it was determined that as much as half of federal laboratories were in need of replacement or refurbishment, requiring funds far beyond those now on the table.

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