On September 29, the federal government announced that the EllisDon Corporation won the contract to design and build the new Health Centre of Excellence in Dorchester, NB. Work is expected to begin shortly on the new facility—which was first announced in 2019—to be completed in 2032.
USJE Regional Vice President – Atlantic (CSC) Laurie Ann Wesselby attended the media event on behalf of USJE.
The new Centre will replace the aging Shepody Healing Centre, which currently provides care for inmates at the federal Dorchester Penitentiary. The new facility nearly triples bed capacity to 155 for both men and women, compared to Shepody’s 53 beds, with modern design features to support staff and patients.
The government anticipates that the new Centre will employ approximately 300 staff positions. According to the government’s media release:
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
RVP Wesselby joined the Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, Dominic LeBlanc; Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Joël Lightbound; Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree; the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, MP Moncton—Dieppe; and CSC Commissioner, Talal Dakalbab at the announcement.