Budget 2018: Investing in Canada's Innovators, Scientists and Researchers
The Government of Canada is taking significant steps to support leading-edge science
MONTRÉAL, March 6, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, visited Polytechnique Montréal to highlight how the Government is taking significant steps, through Budget 2018, to support leading-edge science by investing in the new generation of research and researchers, including women, visible minorities and Indigenous Peoples. The Government is investing in the people behind the ideas that will change the way we live our lives—through new investments of nearly $4 billion over five years to support the next generation of Canadian research and researchers.
To transform government innovation programs to better meet the needs of Canadian businesses, Budget 2018 builds on the Government's Innovation and Skills Plan, increasing its funding while consolidating business innovation programs, making them easier to navigate and more responsive to the challenges and opportunities businesses face today and in the future.
In Budget 2018, the Government is also introducing the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, which focuses on skills and access to capital, mentorship and networking to help empower women to fully participate in and benefit from a growing economy. These investments will help more women-owned companies grow into world-class businesses so that they continue driving economic growth that benefits all.
With Budget 2018 the Government proposes to:
- invest in the next generation of Canadian research and researchers by providing more than $1.7 billion over five years to:
- support granting councils and research institutes by providing increased support and training opportunities for the work of some 21,000 researchers, students and high-quality personnel every year, including funding targeted specifically for research that promotes collaboration and is international and interdisciplinary
- ensure researchers have the necessary space and support to undertake high-quality multidisciplinary research by providing funding for the Research Support Fund, which provides universities with resources to cover the indirect costs of research
- attract and retain leading, young and early-career researchers at post-secondary institutions across the country by proposing new funding for the Canada Research Chairs program
- invest $1.3 billion over five years to ensure researchers have access to the world-class research laboratories and equipment they need at Canadian universities, polytechnics, colleges and research hospitals, including $763 million for the Canada Foundation for Innovation and $572.5 million for a Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy
With Budget 2018, the Government also proposes to renew its commitment to supporting scientific research by:
- enhancing the National Research Council to reinforce its research strengths and its role as a trusted partner with large-scale national teams committed to explore disruptive technologies and cutting-edge innovation
- bringing together federal scientists and researchers across the country by proposing $2.8 billion on a cash basis over five years to build collaborative federal science and technology facilities
Through Budget 2018, the Government also proposes to provide $2.6 billion over five years in additional support to make it easier for Canadians to do business and for entrepreneurs to access the resources they need to innovate, scale up, create jobs and reach new customers around the world.
Quotes
"Montréal is home to some of the most talented researchers and cutting-edge technological facilities in the country and in the world. With Budget 2018, our government is making historic investments to drive innovation, support good jobs and help the next generation of scientists meet the challenges of the changing economy. This includes empowering girls and women to pursue careers in the sciences, which will help ensure that these industries better represent and can benefit from diverse voices and perspectives, while growing our economy and supporting the middle class."
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
Quick Facts
Budget 2018 builds on the Government's Innovation and Skills Plan.
In Budget 2018, the Government is also introducing the Women Entrepreneurship to help empower women to more fully participate in and benefit from a growing economy.
With Budget 2018, the Government also proposes to renew its commitment to supporting scientific research.
Related Products
Budget 2018: Equality and Growth for a Strong Middle Class https://www.budget.gc.ca/2018/docs/speech-discours/2018-02-27-en.html
Budget Plan https://www.budget.gc.ca/2018/docs/plan/toc-tdm-en.html
Budget Information Documents https://www.budget.gc.ca/2018/home-accueil-en.html
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
For further information: (media only), please contact: Simon Ross, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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