Today’s federal budget contains a range of initiatives to boost research, innovation, and the global profile of Canadian universities, said UBC President Prof. Stephen Toope.
“I believe today’s budgetary commitments to higher education are in line with a growing consensus among Canadians that Canada’s research universities play an integral role in advancing our economy and improving the social and economic well-being of all Canadians,” said Toope.
The budget makes a strong commitment to research in Canada by providing continued and growing support to the federal research granting councils and specifically to the Indirect Costs Program.
“These investments are all the more notable when we are seeing significant budgetary cuts to higher education sectors in other countries,” said Toope.
The budget includes the announcement of a new round of the Canada Excellence Research Chair program. Earlier this year, Canadian universities celebrated the arrival of Canada Excellence Research Chairs from around the world and look forward to other researchers joining their ranks. The program is supporting innovation that is already making an impact in Canada and around the world.
“As a country, better coordination internationally in emerging markets like India will serve us all well,” said Toope. “Today’s commitment to support the creation of an international marketing strategy to promote Canada as a destination of choice for higher education and research is very welcome.”
Additional support for brain research, Genome Canada, climate research and clean tech projects – all areas where UBC excels – are important investments in research and in the well-being of all Canadians.