The federal government announced recently the completion of the newly expanded TerraCanada advanced materials research facility in Mississauga. Completed in April 2024, the expanded facility is the result of a $77-million investment in science infrastructure. The government said construction involved up to 100 workers on-site daily, generating local economic benefits.

The TerraCanada advanced materials research facility consists of two new floors that add more than 6,000 square metres of laboratory and supporting spaces to the existing National Research Council of Canada (NRC) building. The facility brings together scientists from the NRC and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to collaborate with federal scientists working at the complementary TerraCanada Hamilton facility located at the NRCan CanmetMATERIALS building, along with academic partners at Canadian universities and industry collaborators.

The TerraCanada facilities in Mississauga and Hamilton will use materials acceleration platforms (MAPs) to make the process of discovering and developing materials faster and more efficient, cost-effective, accurate and precise by leveraging artificial intelligence, robotics and high-performance computing, the government said, adding that new materials are critical for creating the clean technologies needed to help Canada meet its emission reduction targets and grow its clean energy and manufacturing sectors.

According to Charles Sousa, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Lakeshore and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement: “The opening of this new laboratory in Mississauga reaffirms Canada’s position as a leader in science and innovation, while growing the local economy. This modern facility, featuring unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and research excellence, will help attract and retain global talent to our region.”