CTV News has learned that Montreal has won the race to host a modern vaccine production and research facility, the first of its kind in Canada.

The decision means that the Montreal area will be the main beneficiary of multi-million dollar investments by the giant pharmaceutical company in the United States.

The plan to come to Canada was announced last year with both Montreal and Toronto announced as candidates for the site. The Moderna facility will produce mRNA vaccines and research new vaccines, allowing it to respond faster in future health emergencies.

The memorandum of understanding issued by the federal government with Moderna last August stated that the company will produce at least 30 million doses annually to contribute to the Canadian vaccine production chain.

The facility will be the first outside the United States. Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, previously said, "Canada will be ready." "We will be ready on Canadian soil to make a new vaccine within months for a new emerging virus to protect the Canadian population."

Bancel also expressed hope that the facility will research and develop new vaccines to fight influenza, other respiratory viruses, cytomegalovirus, Zika virus, and HIV.

The Montreal facility is expected to open in 2024 and employ between 200 and 300 people. The Trudeau government considers the new facility a way to make Montreal and Canada a "global center for research and development."

The decision will be announced on Friday by Premier François Legault and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc-Québécois spokesperson on Science and Innovation, said in a statement to CTV, "We are happy to hear the news of Moderna’s arrival in Quebec." "We hope this announcement, along with Medicago’s work, is the first of many."