MMF acquires former National Research Council properties

July 22, 2026

Manitoba Métis Federation announces acquisition of former National Research Council Canada properties on corner of Ellice and Balmoral

_{MMF Cabinet Members joined the Mayor of Winnipeg and leaders from Manitoba's research community to celebrate the acquisition of the former National Research Council Canada properties. Pictured (left to right): MMF Minister JoAnne Remillard; MMF Minister Mona Buors; MMF Minister Andrew Carrier; Andrea Ladouceur, president, Bioscience Association of Manitoba; Mayor Scott Gillingham; Elder Linda St. Cyr-Saric; MMF President David Chartrand; Dr. Jitendra Paliwal, vice-president, research and innovation, University of Winnipeg; and MMF Minister David Beaudin.}

Manitoba's research community just gained significant room to grow thanks to the Manitoba Métis Federation's (MMF) acquisition of the former National Research Council Canada buildings announced on July 10 - located at 435 and 445 Ellice Avenue.

"I hope that this facility will be one of the places that will be renowned for finding and developing some of the best solutions we are about to face in the future," said MMF President David Chartrand.

During his remarks, President Chartrand addressed the growing concerns brought on by climate change and his hopes that the buildings could be a "potential hub for future researchers."

"You have fires in the North, you've got floods happening in the south, damage happening everywhere costing millions of dollars," he said. "We have to do something. We have to make change."

Speakers in attendance included Scott Gillingham, Mayor of Winnipeg; Andrea Ladouceur, CEO and president of the Bioscience Association of Manitoba; and Dr. Jitendra Paliwal, vice-president of research and innovation at the University of Winnipeg.

Mayor Gillingham acknowledged the magnitude of the event, not just for the MMF, but for the city of Winnipeg as well.

"It is certainly a great day once again for our downtown," he said of the 70 research laboratories that have the potential to support new research, innovation, and collaboration. "The skill and the range of the Manitoba Métis Federation's investment in Winnipeg, and certainly in our downtown, is truly something remarkable and is something that I certainly, as mayor, appreciate."

The mayor also acknowledged the National Government of the Red River Métis as "one of the most important partners" in the revitalization of downtown Winnipeg.

"This acquisition is also another clear indication of confidence in downtown Winnipeg," said the mayor.

_{President Chartrand hopes these properties can be a hub for future researchers to address growing crises in the health and environmental sectors.}

Following the mayor's remarks, Ladouceur acknowledged this acquisition's potential to increase lab space in Manitoba. She shared that currently less than one-third of Manitoba's lab space exists within institutions, but a research facility of this capacity can create a space where partners can make research discoveries at their own rate while having the freedom to explore research as they see fit.

"What we're able to do in partnership with the MMF is go to the market and promote this wonderful asset and say, 'Manitoba is open for business, the MMF is the partner to work with,'" said Ladouceur.

Dr. Jitendra Paliwal is very familiar with this building's infrastructure, having worked in the facility at the start of his career in the early 2000s.

"I've seen this building go through multiple phases, and multiple incarnations, and it is truly remarkable how the technologies and the research that have come out of this building have actually impacted our lives - not just here in Winnipeg, not just here in Manitoba, but across Canada," said Paliwal. "I am excited here as the Manitoba Métis Federation gives this infrastructure a second lease of life."

As of now, the acquisition of this property into the MMF's lands and properties portfolio brings its total commercial office space to over one million square feet.

"We're also looking at other investments right now. We're not stopping here," said the President.

The MMF understands the importance of research - especially research conducted through a Red River Métis-centric lens. To learn more about research initiatives undertaken by the MMF, visit /health-research

 

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