News release

CBRM Receives Infrastructure Funding for Crime Lab

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

Crime fighting will have an improved home in Cape Breton through a new forensic identification unit and crime laboratory at the Regional Police headquarters in Sydney.

MLA Gordie Gosse, on behalf of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister John MacDonell, along with Rob Merrifield, Minister of State, Transport, and John Morgan, Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) announced funding today, March 17, for a crime lab and identification office.

"Our investment in the forensic identification unit and crime laboratory will help make life better for families in CBRM by providing better tools to help fight crime," said Mr. Gosse. "By relocating to the police headquarters, this will help improve efficiencies by providing more services under one roof."

The former council chambers in the regional police headquarters will be renovated to occupy a two-storey unit.

"Government is pleased to contribute to the construction of the identification office and crime laboratory at the Cape Breton Regional Police Headquarters," said Mr. Merrifield.

"The relocation of these services to headquarters will result in cost saving and operational efficiencies, benefiting the safety, security and well-bring of this community. Through investments like this one, Canada's Economic Action Plan is improving municipal infrastructure, simultaneously creating jobs and stimulating local economic activity."

The new facility will allow for more effective integration of the forensic identification unit and crime laboratory with other departments in the Cape Breton Police services, providing operational and cost saving benefits while enhancing public safety and security.

"This state-of-the-art facility will provide our police service with the ability to perform modern forensic investigations to keep our residents and our communities safe," said Mayor Morgan. "We welcome new opportunities to improve our infrastructure to enable our citizens to lead more productive lives for the long term."

"This is very exciting news for our police service," said Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Myles Burke. "This much needed upgrade to our facilities will significantly improve our efficiency, providing us with centralized storage for exhibits and an integrated work environment between identification officers and other investigative units."

The total eligible cost of this project is $668,000 with both the province and federal government each contributing $150,000 through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The remaining funds, $368,000, will be provided by the municipality.

Canada and Nova Scotia are working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making significant investments that help communities improve their infrastructure.