DRDC Toronto DRDC Toronto is a major Canadian military research station located at the former site of CFB Downsview in Toronto , Ontario . It is one of several centres making up Defence Research and Development Canada ( DRDC ) . History . The Centre ’ s roots go back to 1939 when the Department of National Defence ( DND ) recognized the vital importance of human factors in the ability of Canada ’ s armed forces to safeguard the nation in peacetime and at war . Recognizing the importance of aviation medicine to defence , an inter - departmental committee , the Associate Committee on Aviation Medical Research , was established in June , 1939 , chaired by Sir Frederick Banting . Laboratory studies in pressure physiology began in the Banting and Best Institute , University of Toronto , where the first decompression chamber for human studies in Canada was set up . To expand the effort , in 1940 , the No . 1 Clinical Investigation Unit ( No1 CIU ) was formed at the former Eglinton Hunt Club at 1107 Avenue Road with the construction of a low - temperature low - pressure chamber to support research on human capabilities under extremes of cold and high altitude . This led to extensive activity in the development of oxygen and survival equipment for the Royal Canadian Air Force . The second significant experimental facility constructed was the first human centrifuge in the allied countries , pioneered by Dr . Wilbur R . Franks and his colleagues . This was brought into operation in late 1941 , and by August 1945 more than 13 , 000 human runs had been carried out without a mishap . This machine was used to pioneer and create the world ’ s first anti " G " flying suit to go into service , when it was worn during Operation Torch during the battle for Oran with the Royal Navy ' s Fleet Air Arm in November 1942 . In the post - war period , research in aviation medicine continued in the universities and at Avenue Road , now renamed the RCAF Institute of Aviation Medicine ( RCAF / IAF ) . It was assigned responsibilities for aviation medical training , medical statistics , aircrew medical selection , life support and survival equipment and clinical aviation medicine . Under unification in 1968 , it was renamed the Canadian Forces Institute of Environment Medicine ( CFIEM ) . In 1947 , the Defence Research Board ( DRB ) was established with its primary responsibility in the field of military medicine and the study of occupational problems of the armed services . Basically , DRB was directed to the study of the environmental factors and hazards affecting them , and the assessment of their task with the view of improving their performance in it . To address the new DRB role in military human factors research , the Defence Research Medical Laboratory ( DRML ) was constructed at Downsview in 1952 , with the official opening on 12 February 1954 . Its program was widened to embrace studies of tri - service applicability and included food and clothing research . This laboratory was renamed the Defence Research Establishment Toronto ( DRET ) in 1968 . In an effort to consolidate the research effort in the military , DRET and CFIEM were amalgamated in April 1971 and a new organization was formed , the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine . DCIEM had a combined military and civilian research staff , which provided a unique combination of operational and scientific expertise that addressed the operational needs of the Canadian Forces in all environments . Over the years many new unique facilities were developed at DCIEM , including a new human centrifuge , hot and cold climatic chambers , hypobaric ( 1954 ) and hyperbaric ( 1977 ) chambers , and impact studies facility ( 1978 ) . The unification of the three services into the Canadian Forces ( CF ) in 1968 saw DRB evolve , becoming the Research and Development Branch of the CF by 1974 . The laboratories of the DRB were integrated to DND through the formation of the Defence Research and Development ( R & D ) Branch ( DRDB ) to forge closer relationships between scientists and the military . The new branch was led by the Chief of Research and Development ( CRAD ) , within the Assistant Deputy Minister ( Materiel ) group . The R & D Branch was reorganized on April 1 , 2000 when it became Defence Research and Development Canada ( DRDC ) , part of DND . As Canada ’ s leader in defence and national security science and technology ( S & T ) , DRDC maintains a broad scientific program and actively collaborates with industry , international allies , academia , other government departments and the national security community . DRDC Toronto and its forebearers have made major contributions to knowledge and equipment which has not only aided the Canadian Forces in the completion of their missions , but has had a significant impact in the civilian sector both in Canada and worldwide . Functions of DRDC Toronto . DRDC Toronto is a research and development organisation for integrated human effectiveness , science and technology ( S & T ) in defence and national security . It provides the Canadian Forces ( CF ) , government agencies , academia , and industrial clients with an internationally recognized combination of expertise and research facilities . DRDC Toronto uses a systems - based approach to cover all aspects of human performance and effectiveness , including individual and team performance , human - technology interaction , and the social and psychological factors that affect the resolution of conflict . Their scientists and technologists apply , exploit and share the results of research in the following fields : Current research initiatives . The Human Effectiveness Experimentation Centre manages DRDC Toronto ’ s major research facilities . These facilities , which are used to simulate a broad range of operational environments , include : Joint Operational Human Sciences Centre ( JOHSC ) . JOHSC provides integrated human science and technical solutions in support of the CF across current and future operational environments through research , development and evaluation . JOHSC members are part of the co - located Canadian Forces Environmental Medicine Establishment ( CFEME ) . JOHSC can provide valuable and timely advice to a range of aerospace , land and sea / undersea challenges . JOHSC can also utilize the unique facilities and scientific expertise of DRDC Toronto and other DRDC centres to provide S & T solutions to the CF .