QUESTION PERIOD — Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Research Funding
June 6, 2023
My question is for Senator Gold. Graduate, trainee and post-doctoral programs are the apprenticeship positions in higher education that build the innovators and scientists of our future research and development and economic systems. Merit-based government-funded grants and scholarships level the playing field to allow access to those programs for everyone — and not only the privileged few.
Senator Gold, does the government realize the importance of these programs for the Canadian research ecosystem and the thriving of the future economy?
Indeed, the government has been steadfast in its support of Canadian researchers and scientists since 2015. In particular, the government recognizes the central role that graduate students, doctoral students and post-doctoral students play within our research ecosystem.
Colleagues, previous budgets have provided $40.9 million to support targeted scholarships and fellowships for promising Black student researchers; and $38.3 million for the federal granting councils to add new Canada Excellence Research Chairs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The recent $1.4 billion announcement — through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, or CFREF — demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to continue supporting the scientific and research community.
Colleagues, I’ve been advised that since this government was elected, more than $17 billion has been directly dedicated to science funding.
With all due respect, Senator Gold, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program is not funding post‑doctoral students, master’s students and PhD students. Given the importance of keeping these positions in Canada, and the fact that these positions are well below the current poverty line — so we have our best and brightest people struggling below the poverty line — will the government reconsider what it overlooked in the 2023 budget, and increase funding to these valuable contributors to the Canadian economy in the fall economic update?
Thank you for your question. I wasn’t suggesting for a moment that the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program was for post-doctoral students. Personally, my family and friends provided post-doctoral funding at the University of Montreal in recognition of the needs — and the government is very sensitive to the needs of all members of the research family in Canada, and is committed to ensuring that Canada remains competitive in that regard.
The budget was crafted in circumstances where hard decisions had to be made regarding how much could be spent and where. I’m not in a position to respond to whether the government is reconsidering aspects of the budget implementation act, for example, which is currently in debate in the other place.
But thank you for raising these concerns — they’re important concerns, Senator Kutcher, and I’ll raise the matter with the relevant minister at the earliest opportunity.
