Monday, February 2, 2009

Faculties of Medicine say Budget 2009 does not ensure that Canada continues to develop and retain world-class talent

. . . . in research and development

Ottawa, January 28, 2009 – The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) is concerned that the budget does not do enough to ensure that Canada emerges from our current fiscal challenges in a global leadership position in science and technology, and research and development – the engine of the economy of tomorrow.

According to Dr. Nick Busing, President and CEO of the association. “Budget 2009 missed an important opportunity to signal that Canada is committed to dealing with the current economic crisis, but is equally committed to ensuring a prosperous future for science and technology, particularly in the health and biomedical sector. While important measures were put into place to deal with Canada’s immediate needs, it stopped short of making significant investments to ensure that Canada continues to develop and retain world-class talent in research and development in the health and biomedical sciences. Infrastructure investments, without similar investments in human resources will not be optimized.”

Busing says it would take a very modest investment for the federal government to take a real leadership role in collecting and analyzing data pertaining to the current and future needs of Canada in terms of health human resources.

Contact Irving Gold
Vice President, Government Relations and External Affairs
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada
(613) 730 0687 x236
igold@afmc.ca

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