DORCHESTER, NB, Sept. 29, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, announced the proponent selected to design and build the Correctional Service of Canada's (CSC) new 155-bed Health Centre of Excellence in Dorchester, New Brunswick. Following a competitive process, EllisDon Corporation will now begin work with CSC and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to finalize the design and build the new facility.  

This important milestone is a concrete step toward the construction of a modern, stand-alone health care facility that will provide a national broad spectrum of bilingual health care services to incarcerated individuals and lead to increased public safety outcomes. It will be built on existing property where CSC is custodian, beside the Dorchester Penitentiary, and replace the aging 53-bed Shepody Healing Centre. The purpose-built centre will also provide CSC employees with a modern workplace designed to better support their safety, wellness, and day-to-day work.

The new Health Centre of Excellence will be a secure "treatment-first" facility, purposefully designed to house and treat federal offenders with enhanced physical and mental health care needs. It will consider several requirements, including:

• safety and security
• physical and mental health care
• staff wellness
• patient wellness, including Indigenous/traditional healing
• the unique needs of women offenders
• sustainability needs and requirements

In support of the Government of Canada's Buy Canadian Policy, PSPC will work closely with the design-builder to prioritize the use of domestic materials where possible. It will maximize economic opportunities for Canadian and local businesses and communities throughout the design and construction phases of the project.

It is anticipated the design and construction phase will bring an estimated 450 jobs to the region. It is estimated the HCoE will employ approximately 300 staff. This will enhance CSC's ability to deliver specialized care, support rehabilitation, and contribute to safer communities.

CSC will continue to engage with Indigenous Rightsholders and Stewards of Land as well as stakeholders, including local residents, health partners and members of the Dorchester community.

Quotes

"The selection of a proponent to design and build the new Health Centre of Excellence marks a key step toward the construction of a safe, modern and bilingual correctional facility in Dorchester that will keep communities safe in Atlantic Canada and across the country. This new infrastructure will ensure that CSC staff have a safe and secure workspace to meet the growing needs of a complex offender population in federal custody."

 – The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy

"CSC employees carry out demanding and important work every day. They deserve a modern workplace that supports them in doing that work safely and effectively. Reaching this important milestone brings us closer to providing staff with a purpose-built Centre of Excellence that will improve the way they work and strengthen public safety outcomes for years to come."

– The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

"Canadians expect public investments to deliver real results. With this contract, we are taking a concrete step toward better health care within Correctional Service of Canada and a modern facility built for the future. By bringing Canadian workers, local businesses, and Indigenous partners into the project, we can create opportunities as we build infrastructure that will serve communities for generations."

– The Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant

 Quick facts

• The Government of Canada awarded a $58.7 million contract (taxes included) to EllisDon Corporation for the design phase of the Health Centre of Excellence in Dorchester, New Brunswick.
• Work is expected to span 5 to 6 years and reach completion in 2032.
• CSC has a legislative mandate to provide every inmate with essential health care, including mental health care, and reasonable access to non-essential health care, in keeping with professionally accepted standards.
• The facility will also offer increased bed capacity for incarcerated men and women and be adapted to deliver culturally responsive care to incarcerated Indigenous and ethnocultural offenders.
• The project uses a progressive design-build model, which supports early collaboration between the government, designers and builders to improve cost control and shorten delivery timelines.

Associated links

• Correctional Service of Canada Health Centre of Excellence - Canada.ca
• Major milestone reached in Correctional Service of Canada's Health Centre of Excellence - Canada.ca
• Government moving forward with the creation of a Health Centre of Excellence at Shepody Healing Centre - Canada.ca

SOURCE Correctional Services of Canada