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
Jul 9, 1972
Jan 12, 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
Jul 12, 2017
Oct 20, 2017
Dec 15, 2017
May 10, 2018

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 Biomedical Laboratories is formed through the amalgamation Westminster Physicians, Associated Clinical Laboratories.
BC Bio main lab moves to Burnaby

Main BC Biomedical Lab moved to Burnaby location
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.
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.
Named as the new provider of community laboratory collection services for the residents of the Regina and Saskatoon.
Receive the Partner Recognition Award in Environmental Excellence from Practice Greenhealth.