Question Period Note: BUDGET 2021 – FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

What key investments did the Government of Canada make in Budget 2021 in research and science?

• A plan for long-lasting economic recovery must be led by a growth strategy building on the unique competitive advantages of the Canadian economy.

• Budget 2021 proposed significant new resources to help cement Canada’s position as a world leader in research and innovation, building a global brand to attract talent and capital for years to come.

• This represents about $3 billion in new funding for Canadian researchers and science, including support for cutting-edge life sciences research and biotechnology, and for national strategies on artificial intelligence, quantum and genomics.

• Strategic investments in cutting-edge life sciences research and biotechnology are essential to Canada’s long-lasting recovery plan.
• Such investments include $500 million for the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support bio-science capital and infrastructure needs of post-secondary institutions and research hospitals and $250 million for a new tri-council biomedical research fund.
• The Government of Canada is supporting world-leading research and innovation through proposed investments of more than $443 million for the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, $360 million for a National Quantum Strategy and up to $400 million for a new Pan-Canadian Genomics Strategy.
• These fast-growing fields, which are critical to our safety, attract large investments and create well-paying jobs.

Investments in world-leading research and innovation will underpin a growth strategy building on the Canadian economy’s unique competitive advantages and to ensure Canada will meet the demands of the future.

Budget 2021 announced over $3 billion in funding for science initiatives. These measures support numerous government objectives as follows:

Protecting Canadians’ health ($975 million, less $56 million sourced from existing resources = $916 million)
• $946 million over five years to strengthen Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Science sector, which includes:
o $500 million over four years, starting in 2021-22, for the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support the bio-science capital and infrastructure needs of post-secondary institutions and research hospitals;
o $250 million over four years, starting in 2021-22, for the federal research granting councils to create a new tri-council biomedical research fund;
o $92 million over four years, starting in 2021-22, for adMare BioInnovations to support company creation, scale up, and training activities in the life sciences sector;
o $59.2 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, for the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization to support the development of its vaccine candidates and expand its facility in Saskatoon; and
o $45 million over three years, starting in 2022-23, to the Stem Cell Network to support stem cell and regenerative medicine research.
o $29 million over five years towards actions to address antimicrobial resistance.
• $28.6 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, with $5.7 million per year ongoing, to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, to help address antimicrobial resistance.

Support applied research and development projects led by Canadian businesses in collaboration with colleges, CEGEPs, and polytechnics ($52.6 million)
• $46.9 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to support additional research partnerships between colleges, CEGEPs, polytechnics, and businesses through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s College and Community Innovation Program; and
• $5.7 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to provide more businesses with access to the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program’s Interactive Visits, where firms can access equipment, facilities, and expertise at college-affiliated Technology Access Centres.

Supporting world-leading research and innovation ($1.6 billion)
• $443.8 million over 10 years, starting in 2021-22, in support of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy;
• $360 million over seven years, starting in 2021-22, to launch a National Quantum Strategy;
• $90 million over five years on a cash basis, starting in 2021-22, to the National Research Council to retool and modernize the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre;
• $400 million over six years, starting in 2021-22, in support of a Pan-Canadian Genomics Strategy. This funding would provide $136.7 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, for mission-driven programming delivered by Genome Canada to kick-start the new Strategy and complement the government’s existing genomics research and innovation programming;
• $250 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to implement a new Clinical Trials Fund; and
• $60 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to the Innovation Superclusters Initiative to help ensure those superclusters that made emergency investments to support Canada’s COVID-19 response and others can continue supporting innovative Canadian projects.

Helping Canadians get back to work ($708 million)
• Mitacs focusses on supporting research-based innovation in industry and developing a talent stream of highly educated students and graduates through its internship programs; and
• $708 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, to Mitacs to create at least 85,000 work-integrated learning placements that provide on-the-job learning and provide businesses with support to develop talent and grow.

Supporting research through the federal granting agencies
• $20 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, to Canadian Institutes of Health Research to support a new National Institute for Women’s Health Research;
• $12 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to fund academic research into systemic barriers facing diverse groups; and
• $30 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to fund pediatric cancer research that can lead to better outcomes and healthier lives for these young patients.