A game changer is how the Health Centre of Excellence is being described.
The centre that will be built next to Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick has taken another step closer to reality.
It will replace the Shepody Healing Centre and will address both the physical and mental health needs of federal offenders, from right across the country.
“The Health Centre of Excellence will be a modern facility, with multi-level security, male and female inmates and patients can be treated here. It will strengthen the Correctional Service of Canada’s overall capacity nationally to address the health needs of an increasingly complex population. When the health needs of these people are properly met, it creates a safer working environment for the people that come to work here every day, and it improves the offender’s chance of being successfully reintegrated,” says Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc.
The Treasury Board approved three project proponents who will move forward in the next stage of the process. They are Bird Design, Build Construction Inc., Ellis Don Corporation and Pomerleau Incorporated.
“In early January, the project team will begin working with these three proponents ahead of launching a formal Request for Proposal, a bidding process in early February. The launch of the Request for Proposals is the last step before the government signs a binding contract to design and build and break ground on this transformative National Facility,” Leblanc adds.
He also stressed that this project will guarantee hundreds and hundreds of well-paying jobs in the Tantramar region and Southeastern New Brunswick for decades to come.
“The Treasury Board, last week, approved an investment which will be one of the largest investments the Government of Canada has made in New Brunswick since the Confederation Bridge was built, 25 or 30 years ago. The scale of this project is very much in that range because this is the last step,” Leblanc stated.
Leblanc also stated that they will be looking for a variety of individuals to participate in a public advisory group, from areas including the healthcare and educational fields, to gather community feedback and advise the Government of Canada on key aspects of the process.
This project was first announced in February 2019.
He admits this project has taken longer than most would have liked, due to reasons including the pandemic, but Leblanc stresses the good news is that the work has now been done.
“I hope the delays are behind us,” Leblanc says.
“Rehabilitation is at the core of our mandate, including providing health care to federal inmates. The Health Centre of Excellence will transform and improve the way we provide health services, all while leading to better public safety outcomes. Today is another important step to advance this project. CSC is committed to continued work with our partners and local communities as this project progresses,” says Anne Kelly, Commissioner, of the Correctional Service of Canada.
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