Ontario Investing $5 Million to Boost Life Sciences in Ottawa
August 19, 2025
World-class research facility will support the creation of more than 750 new jobs and strengthen the region’s life sciences sector
The Ontario government is protecting the province’s life science sector by investing $5 million through the Ontario Wet Labs Program (OWLP) to support the outfitting of a new wet lab housed within the University of Ottawa’s Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC). The state-of-the-art wet lab will support the work undertaken by the AMRC’s Ottawa Health Innovation Hub and is expected to support the creation of more than 750 good-paying jobs, driving economic growth across the region.
“Ontario’s life sciences sector is a key driver of the province’s economy, which is why our government is playing an active role in backing strategic investments that support its long-term success,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “The outfitting of the University of Ottawa’s Advanced Medical Research Centre and Ottawa Health Innovation Hub are an important next step in ensuring that our province has the critical wet lab infrastructure needed to unlock commercialization, foster research collaboration, and create the conditions for more Ontario-made breakthroughs.”
Wet labs are specialized research facilities where researchers work with chemicals, biological matter and other materials in controlled environments, driving innovation in fields like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals and fueling economic growth. OWLP’s deployment at the AMRC’s $16 million Ottawa Health Innovation Hub will support research collaboration, commercialization and entrepreneurship by providing shared wet lab space with access to leading equipment, advanced biology tools and business support.
“Research taking place at Ontario’s colleges and universities is propelling our key industries forward, creating jobs and saving lives,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Our government’s investment to support a new wet lab at the Advanced Medical Research Centre and Ottawa Health Innovation Hub at the University of Ottawa will ensure Ontario remains an epicentre for life science innovation, so that the people of Ontario benefit first and foremost from discoveries made in our own backyard.”
The wet lab, located at the seven-storey, 350,000 square-foot AMRC, will be the first initiative funded through the OWLP, with the project expected to generate $130 million in revenue and investments by 2032. The OWLP was launched through a $201 million investment as part of the government’s Life Sciences Strategy. One of the strategy’s primary goals is to establish the province as a global biomanufacturing and life sciences hub that leads in innovation, commercialization and the early adoption of Ontario-made health products and services.
“This investment underscores Ontario’s commitment to building a world-class life sciences ecosystem that brings together the university, the health care providers and industry partners,” said Marie-Eve Sylvestre, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa. “The Advanced Medical Research Centre, alongside the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, will address urgent infrastructure and talent needs and accelerate the commercialization of made-in-Ottawa health innovations. Together, they will fuel economic growth, attract investment, and improve patient care through cutting-edge research and innovation.”
Since 2018, Ontario has attracted over $6 billion in investments from leading life sciences companies and global manufacturers.
Quick Facts
- By addressing long-standing barriers to growth, Ontario aims to grow the number of high-value jobs in the life sciences sector by 25 per cent to 85,000 by 2030.
- OWLP supports the development of multi-tenant wet lab facilities by providing successful applicants with a maximum of $5 million to fund up to 33 per cent of eligible project costs.
- Ontario is home to almost 2,000 life sciences firms with annual exports exceeding $11.8 billion.
- Since 2018, the government has invested over $2.19 billion into the research sector, including support for 1,665 research projects that drive ground-breaking discoveries and create jobs across key sectors, such as agriculture, auto manufacturing, information technology and the life sciences.
- In April 2025, the government announced an investment of $750 million to expand enrollment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs at colleges and universities by up to 20,500 seats per year, building Ontario’s pipeline of highly skilled workers to drive critical industries.
Quotes
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, Ontario has become a hub of health research and innovation. By investing to strengthen the province’s life sciences sector and supporting made-in-Ontario solutions, our government is protecting Ontario’s economy and health-care system for years to come.”
– Sylvia Jones
Deputy Premier, Minister of Health
“This commitment from the Ontario government will make Ottawa a hot bed for health innovation. This announcement places the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub at the perfect intersection where pioneering biotech research and health innovation meets the city’s thriving life sciences industry.”
– George Darouze
MPP for Carleton
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