In 2009, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada announced the recipients of the $85 million Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund. This investment in the North’s research infrastructure network was committed to build or renovate key research facilities from Labrador to the Yukon as part of the federal government’s integrated Northern Strategy. The investment would also promote energy efficient upgrades and contribute to the local economy by employing northern suppliers and firms.

Opened in 2011, ICHR’s renovated facility houses expanded office and meeting space, a Statistics Canada Research Data Centre, and a Health Research Library. It is generally available to community and public health research organizations as well as health professionals who are in need of meeting space or would like to take advantage of the facility’s technological and reference resources.