Budget 2009 Leaves Few Assurances for Canada’s Top Research Talent

OTTAWA, January 28, 2009 - Research Canada: An Alliance for Health Discovery is pleased with a number of measures in the Federal Government’s 2009 Budget, including the more than $1.5 Billion investment in science and technology. Research Canada applauds the government’s further investment of $750 million for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) in support of research infrastructure. Canada will continue to make important strides in building world-class research facilities which create short- and medium-term jobs for Canadians into the future. Research Canada is also pleased with the temporary expansion of the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program ($87.5 million).

The lack of new investment in the nation’s research and innovation engine, however, is concerning; notably the absence of additional base funding for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the other granting councils and Genome Canada. “It is the Federal Government’s role to ensure that the ground is fertile for the creation and commercialization of new ideas by increasing investments in discovery research through the granting councils,” commented Dr. Michael Julius, Research Canada’s Chair and Vice-President of Research, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. “Without increased investments in funds to support getting research done, we are poised to lose the competitive edge that previous investments in infrastructure have achieved. Our global partners are making these investments. Harmonizing funding across the research spectrum of ideas, people and infrastructure is essential to our industry’s capacity to create jobs and introduce innovative goods and services into the market.”

The economic impact of Canadian health research is significant. “On an annual basis our industry generates $12 Billion in economic activity and provides employment and training for over 10,000 people across Canada,” said Ms. Deborah Gordon-El-Bihbety, President and CEO of Research Canada. “The sector also supports more than 20,000 scientists, clinical investigators and other researchers and staff.” Canada has many of the right ingredients to succeed in the knowledge based economy including a highly skilled workforce and some of the best research facilities in the world. Laying the foundation for a stronger and more sustainable economy of the future will be predicated, however, on our country’s ability to make research and development in the health and life sciences a top national priority.

Research Canada is a not-for-profit, voluntary organization whose members are dedicated to advancing health research in Canada. Its membership is drawn from all sectors including the leading health research institutes, national health charities, hospitals, regional health authorities, universities, private industry, health professional associations and others.

Media Contact: Ms. Heidi McSweeney Director, Government Relations Telephone: 613-234-5129, Cell phone: 613-286-2830 Fax:(613) 565-2278 e-mail: hmcsweeney@rc-rc.cawww.rc-rc.ca