E4D welcomes the Report of the Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System

Evidence for Democracy (E4D) welcomes the Report of the Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System, released yesterday. We thank the Panel members for their work and their commitment to consulting broadly across Canada’s rich science and research landscape. We also thank Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada staff for their support in this important exercise. 

The report highlights many long standing challenges in Canada’s research support system, including funding support that falls ever farther behind peer countries who are investing heavily in science as key priorities for growth. Significant investments are needed to stem the decline and bring Canada in step with the rest of the world. The report recommends an annual increase of at least 10% in core funding for five years as a first step. We are especially pleased to see the report’s specific emphasis on the critical need to improve support for trainees through both increasing the value of awards and research grants. 

E4D also welcomes the report’s recommendation of a national strategy that will set out a cohesive, common vision for science, research, and innovation across sectors. This and numerous other valuable recommendations seek to improve the coordination, infrastructure, inclusiveness, and agility of our research system. We look forward to working with the research community in supporting and engaging with the Government as it considers these recommendations, to strengthen Canada’s research ecosystem for the benefit of all Canadians.