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Our History
A brief journey through the histories of our Laboratories
- Jan 16, 1958
- Oct 25, 1960
- May 20, 1965
- Nov 30, 1968
- Aug 25, 1969
- Jul 8, 1970
- Jul 20, 1971
- Jan 12, 1972
- Jul 9, 1972
- Jul 17, 1987
- Jul 18, 1996
- Jul 14, 1999
- Jul 3, 2000
- Jul 1, 2003
- Jul 4, 2007
- Apr 1, 2013
- May 1, 2013
- Sep 19, 2013
- Feb 7, 2015
- Jun 25, 2015
- Dec 8, 2015
- Apr 1, 2017
- Jul 12, 2017
- Oct 20, 2017
- Nov 9, 2017
- Dec 15, 2017
- Feb 12, 2018
- May 1, 2018
- May 10, 2018
- May 14, 2019
- Jul 9, 2019
- Jul 24, 2019
- Oct 10, 2019
- Oct 15, 2019
- Jul 1, 2020
- Jul 15, 2020
- Sep 2, 2020
- Nov 1, 2020
- Dec 1, 2020
- Dec 29, 2020
- Feb 15, 2021
- Mar 4, 2021
- Apr 15, 2021
- May 25, 2021
- Jun 15, 2021
- Jun 30, 2021
- Nov 23, 2021
- Dec 14, 2021
- Feb 9, 2022
- Mar 29, 2022
- Mar 31, 2022
- Apr 7, 2022
- Apr 12, 2022
- Apr 14, 2022
- Jun 22, 2022
- Dec 21, 2022
- Feb 1, 2023
- Mar 10, 2023
- Jul 12, 2023
- Oct 25, 2023
- Oct 27, 2023
- Nov 7, 2023
- Jan 10, 2024
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BC Biomedical Founded
BC Biomedical was founded by Dr. Cam Coady in 1958, when he found hospital funding shortfalls handicapping the ability to provide an adequate spectrum of laboratory tests. -
Metropolitan Bio Medical
Metropolitan Biomedical Laboratories is founded in B.C. by Sid Zbarsky. A few years later Dr. Don Rix joins as a partner. -
BC Biomedical main lab located in New Westminster
The BC Biomedical main facility was located in New Westminster. -
McNair Laboratories
McNair Laboratories is founded in B.C. by Dr. Don Rix Laboratories began operations offering a full range of out-patient laboratory testing services. -
MDS
MDS is founded in Ontario by five entrepreneurs from IBM with a vision of providing business and systems support to healthcare professionals. -
Toronto Medical Laboratories
MDS acquires Toronto Medical Laboratories. -
Canadian Medical Laboratories
Canadian Medical Laboratories Limited, the entity that eventually becomes CML, was founded as a single laboratory in Simcoe, Ontario. -
BC Bio main lab moves to Burnaby
Main BC Biomedical Lab moved to Burnaby location -
BC Biomedical Laboratories is formed through the amalgamation Westminster Physicians, Associated Clinical Laboratories. -
MDS Metro
Metro-McNair Clinical Laboratories, B.C. and MDS Metro in Ontario are formed. -
MDS Metro new reference lab opens in Burnaby, B.C.
MDS Metro began construction of a new reference lab in Burnaby in 1995 and moved in the following year. -
BC Bio main lab moves to Surrey
BC Bio main lab moves to Surrey and opens the Cam Coady Building. -
Metro and BC Bio launch PathNet
BC Bio and MDS Metro jointly launch PathNET which becomes the foundation for what is now known as Excelleris. -
Canadian Medical Laboratories Ltd changes its name to CML
Canadian Medical Laboratories Limited changes its name to CML HealthCare Inc. in recognition of the broader diagnostic healthcare services provided. -
MDS officially becomes LifeLabs.
LifeLabs officially became our new name. -
LifeLabs completes purchase of BC Biomedical
LifeLabs completes purchase of BC Biomedical and BC Integration Program is launched. -
CML HealthCare Inc. acquires Calgary-based Rocky Mountain Analytical.
CML HealthCare announced the acquisition of Rocky Mountain Analytical (RMA), the leading Canadian provider of specialized clinical laboratory . -
CML hits a homerun with Microbiology Automation
BD Kiestra Microbiology Platform installed at Kennedy Laboratory in Mississauga, O.N. the largest installation in the world and the first of its kind in Canada. -
Through a partnership with Abbott and Roche Diagnostics, begin the installation of state-of-the-art automated chemistry testing platforms at reference labs in B.C. and Ontario. -
Open the largest privately-owned genetics laboratory in Canada as part of LifeLabs Genetics. -
Announce $150,000 sponsorship of Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation. -
Launched a new genetic counselling service in Ontario and British Columbia
The service provides greater support to our patients undertaking genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. -
Develop the proprietary Comprehensive Drug Analysis for the rapid and comprehensive detection of prescription and street drug. -
Launch Canada’s first specialized program for patients with autism spectrum disorder, Serving Patients with Autism. -
Announced partnership with Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO)
Since 2017, LifeLabs employees participate in an annual fundraising event known as Pancakes and Pyjamas day, in support of POGO for children and families battling cancer. Read More -
Named as the new provider of community laboratory collection services for the residents of the Regina and Saskatoon. -
LifeCentre by LifeLabs opened to the public in Barrie, Ontario
The first of its kind in Canada, LifeCentre opened early in 2018 to provide customized patient care with its events program, community partnerships and expanded service. -
Expansion of MyVisit Services in Ontario
After a successful pilot in select communities of the Greater Toronto Area, LifeLabs expanded the MyVisit™ home-care service radius to Peel, Halton and York Regions. Read More -
Received the Partner Recognition Award in Environmental Excellence from Practice Greenhealth. -
Awarded for Environmental Excellence for by Practice Greenhealth
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Recognized as Employer of the Year by Community Living Mississauga for inclusive hiring process
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Partnership with Maple bring virtual care consultations for personalized testing for Canadians
LifeLabs announced our partnership with Maple, Canada’s leading virtual care platform which provides 24/7 on-demand access to doctors and other health care providers by secure text or video. Read More -
Partnership with Sun Life to offer pharmacogenomics testing to plan holders on disability plans
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First lab in Canada to become Accessibility Certified
LifeLabs became the first Canadian laboratory to become Accessibility Certified by the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF), allowing access for individuals with disabilities affecting mobility, vision, and hearing. Read More -
Supported the National Hockey League's COVID-19 Return to Play Plan
LifeLabs was selected as the laboratory partner for the NHL, designing and deploying a COVID-19 testing model that enabled the league to return to play, while keeping all players and personnel safe. Read More -
Launched the COVID-19 WorkClear program
During the COVID-19 pandemic, LifeLabs offered collection, testing, and health and safety management support to Canadian employers to reduce the risk of workplace transmission. Read More -
Partnered with Bayer Inc. to offer Canadians a complimentary testing service to detect TRK fusion cancer
FastTRK is a complimentary clinical testing program for the diagnosis of neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions in TRK fusion cancer patients in Canada. Read More -
Introduced the COVID-19 antibody test to help Canadians identify prior exposure to COVID-19
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LifeLabs created Stronger Together, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program
The program ensures that all individuals can feel accepted, respected, and valued. We aim to foster an equitable and inclusive culture, both in the workplace and with our customers, patients, and external partners. -
LifeLabs surpasses 1 million COVID-19 tests
LifeLabs ramped up operations in the early days of the pandemic to reduce a significant backlog in the spring, double its workforce, and shift to a 24/7 operation to process testing. Read More -
Partnered with Multiplex Genomics to Increase COVID-19 Testing Capacity and Track COVID-19 Variants
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LifeLabs supports asymptomatic COVID-19 testing in Ontario schools
LifeLabs was proud to support the Ontario government with the ongoing operation of in-person learning at child care centres, elementary and secondary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More -
Partnered with Fionet Rapid Response Group to implement COVID-19 rapid diagnostic testing services
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Partnered with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), and the Globe and Mail, to amplify voices of Black leaders
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Completed over 2 million COVID-19 molecular tests
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COVID-19 response management in communications wins 2021 Gold Quill Award
LifeLabs was recognized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) with a Gold Quill award for its communications strategy in COVID-19 response and recovery management. Read More -
Awarded 2021 WorkPlace Benefit Award for Effective Mental Health Programs
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Named one of the top employers in Greater Toronto for 2022
MediaCorp Canada recognized LifeLabs’ employee recognition campaign that highlighted our extraordinary efforts through the pandemic. Read More -
Ranked in the top 100 of Canada’s Best Employers of 2022 by Forbes
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Awarded for Environmental Excellence for a fourth consecutive year
Practice Greenhealth recognized LifeLabs, the only lab in North America to receive this award, for its achievements in building a more environmentally sustainable organization. Read More -
Partnered with Pride at Work Canada to support LGBTQ2S+ inclusion in the workplace
By joining Pride at Work’s roster of Proud Partners, LifeLabs receives access to resources that support strategies for inclusion based on gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Read More -
Awarded a Burnaby Business Excellence Award for Environmental Sustainability
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LifeLabs' President & CEO shares stories from the frontlines of the pandemic
Charles Brown, President and CEO of LifeLabs, was thrilled to share his story in the book “Unprecedented: Canada’s Top CEOs on Leadership During COVID-19.” Read More -
Partnered with Anderson to Support Medical Laboratory Technologist Careers
LifeLabs and Anderson College have partnered on a two-year Medical Lab Technologist (MLT) hybrid program, allowing students to work alongside licensed, experienced MLTs at LifeLabs sites. Read More -
Partnered with Indspire to provide scholarship opportunities to Indigenous students
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Named as Winner of 2022 Workplace Benefits Award
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Launched Signatera, offering Canadians an innovative and personalized approach to managing cancer
The first of its kind, this test uses circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and is personalized for each patient to help assess recurrence risk and identify relapse earlier than current standard of care tools. Read More -
Named the most trusted brand in health diagnostics by BrandSpark
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Named by Forbes as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity
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Collaborated with British Columbia Institute of Technology to contribute to the Open Education Pathology Textbook
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Introduced Self-Collection Hormone Health Kits
LifeLabs collection kits enable patients to collect samples in the comfort of their homes and send them to LifeLabs for testing, allowing Canadians to make informed decisions for better health outcomes. Read More -
Partnered with LifestyleRx to offer Canadians greater support in managing prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
LifestyleRx is a virtual physician-led program that aids patients in adopting key lifestyle changes to achieve sustainable remission of prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Read More -
Named 2024 Most Trusted Brand in Health Diagnostics by BrandSpark