Construction Begins on New Medical Examiner's Facility

A new provincial medical examiner's facility will meet the growing need for autopsies, improve services for families who have lost loved ones and will help to train doctors.

Premier Darrell Dexter and Justice Minister Ross Landry marked the start of construction on the new $12.9-million facility in Dartmouth today, Sept. 7.

"Most Nova Scotians know the pain of losing a loved one, an experience that can be made worse when the grieving process is held up by a backlog in autopsies," Premier Dexter said. "This world-class facility will help medical examiners deliver faster, more effective service to families, as well as assisting law enforcement agencies in their investigations of suspicious deaths and homicides."

The number of autopsies performed by the medical examiner in Nova Scotia has doubled in recent years.

"The medical examiner has long outgrown its current space and this facility will allow it to meet the increasing demands for its services," said Mr. Landry.

The medical examiner currently leases autopsy space from the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.

The new facility, on Garland Avenue in the Burnside Business Park in Dartmouth, will have four autopsy tables provide more capacity in the event of a disaster. It will also include a private briefing room for families and allow greater teaching opportunities.

The new building will be certified silver under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. Construction is expected to last about 14 months.