A Toronto-based architecture firm will lead the planning process for the redevelopment of the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre.

The provincial government announced Tuesday that Kasian Architecture will get a $1.9-million contract to do the detailed planning work that will determine what the new hospital complex will look like and where services will be located.

Detailed plan coming by late 2017

The project includes planning the expansion and renovations of the Halifax Infirmary site and specialized and community outpatient centres. The work will include seven Nova Scotia-based consulting firms and take about a year, at which point detailed design work will begin.

A detailed plan is expected to be presented to government by late 2017.