Feasibility Study
The Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) Feasibility Study led by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada with support from Public Works and Government Services Canada presents the results of a two-year period of consultation with a broad range of stakeholders on the nature of the future station. The report provides an overview of the design specifications, the functional program and the science and technology mandate for the Station. Feasibility Study (PDF - 5.5 MB)
Executive Summary
- HTML | PDF (160 KB)
- In Inuktitut (PDF - 100 KB)
- In Inuinnaqtun (PDF - 150 KB)
PART I: PROJECT CONTEXT
- 1.1 Background
- 1.1.1 Government of Canada Commitments
- 1.1.2 Needs Assessment for CHARS
- 1.1.3 Stakeholder Validation
- 1.2 Nunavut Land Claims Agreement
- 1.3 Timeline of Activities and Key Engagements
- 2.1 Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund
- 2.1.1 Transportation
- 2.1.2 Working with Communities
- 2.1.3 Weather Variability
- 2.1.4 Contracting
- 2.1.5 Project Management
- 2.1.6 Sustainable and Green Technologies
- 2.1.7 Availability of Local Labour
- 2.1.8 Ability to Partner and Network
- 2.1.9 Ability to Complete Projects under a Tight Timeline
- 2.2 Advice about Polar Facilities
- 2.3 Polar Research Facilities
- 2.4 Post Occupancy Assessments of Research Facilities
- 3.1 Context
- 3.2 Overview of Selected Community
- 3.2.1 Geographic Areas of Interest
- 3.2.2 Infrastructure, Services and Potential Partnerships
- 3.3 Research Potential
- 3.3.1 Ecoregions
- 3.3.2 State of Knowledge Maps
- 3.3.3 Predicted Climate-Induced Changes
- 3.4 Potential Sites within Cambridge Bay
- 3.4.1 Site Selection Criteria
PART II: PROJECT DEFINITION
- 4.1 Mission
- 4.2 Objectives
- 4.3 Principles
- 4.4 Components
- 4.4.1 Geographic Area
- 4.4.2 Scientific Scope
- 4.5 Priorities
5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
- 5.1 Overview of the Proposed S&T Program
- 5.2 S&T Program Elements
- 5.2.1 Research Program
- 5.2.2 Traditional Knowledge
- 5.2.3 Technology Development, Testing and Application
- 5.2.4 Monitoring
- 5.2.5 Knowledge Application
- 5.2.6 Education and Outreach
- 5.2.7 Logistics
- 5.3 Other Program Guidelines
- 5.4 S&T Program Drivers for CHARS' Design
- 6.1 Proposed CHARS Organizational chart
- 6.2 Operational Overview
- 6.2.1 Science and Technology Programming
- 6.2.2 Administration & Facilities Management
- 7.1 Overview of the Proposed Functional Program
- 7.2 Project Goals
- 7.2.1 Sustainability
- 7.2.2 Flexibility
- 7.2.3 Community Integration
- 7.2.4 Quality of the Working Environment
- 7.3 Planning Considerations
- 7.3.1 Laboratory Furniture and Fixtures
- 7.3.2 Sustainability and Efficiency
- 7.3.3 Communications
- 7.3.4 Flexibility
- 7.3.5 Maintainability
- 7.3.6 Security
- 7.4 Codes, Regulations, Standards & Guidelines
- 8.1 Accommodation Survey
- 8.2 Component Spaces
- 8.2.1 Laboratory Components
- 8.2.2 Laboratory Support Components
- 8.2.3 Education, Training & Outreach Components
- 8.2.4 Office & Office Support Components
- 8.2.5 Living & Recreation Components
- 8.2.6 Community and Commercial Components
- 8.2.7 Building Support & Mechanical Components
- 8.2.8 Logistical Components
- 8.3 Adjacency Relationships
- 8.3.1 Generic Layouts
- 8.3.2 Schematic Layouts
- 9.1 Architectural Requirements
- 9.2 Site Planning and Landscaping
- 9.3 Structural and Building Envelope
- 9.4 Mechanical Systems
- 9.5 Plumbing & Water Services
- 9.6 Sewage Treatment
- 9.7 Electrical Systems
- 9.8 Security
- 9.9 Safety
- 9.10 Accessibility
- 9.11 Lab Equipment (fixed)
- 9.12 Telecommunications and Information Technologies
- 9.13 Energy
- 9.14 Commissioning
PART III: PROCESS
- 10.1 Proposed Strategy
- 10.1.1 Federal Government
- 10.1.2 Hosting Community
- 10.1.3 Northerners
- 10.1.4 Arctic S&T Network
- 10.1.5 Academics
- 10.1.6 Private Sector
- 10.1.7 General Public
- 11.1 Options
- 11.2 Procurement Analysis
- 12.1 Pre-Construction Design Phase
- 12.2 Future Cost Considerations
- 12.2.1 Allowances
- 12.2.2 Arctic Cost Premiums
ANNEX A CHARS Experts & Users Group Terms of Reference
ANNEX B Nunavut Land Claims Agreement
ANNEX C News Release of the Announcement on Location
ANNEX D Codes, Regulations, Standards & Guidelines
- Date Modified: