May 1, 2023 (Ottawa) – HealthCareCAN supports graduate and postdoctoral students’ call to action from government as a key component to strengthening the health research ecosystem in Canada.
A March 2023 report published by the Advisory panel on the federal research support system reflects numerous recommendations provided by HealthCareCAN during consultations, including an increase in funding for the Tri-Council and the Research Support Fund to cover a greater proportion of salaries for researchers and the costs associated with operating a lab.
“I am deeply concerned about the future of health research in Canada,” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, president and CEO of HealthCareCAN. “The overall state of affairs of our health research sector in Canada is unstable and maintaining the status quo is simply unacceptable. If Canada’s research talent can’t secure adequate funding for their work, let alone feed and house themselves under the current funding regime, they will seek better opportunities elsewhere, and leave Canada behind.”
According to Support our Science, a grassroots organization advocating for better pay for graduate students and postdoctorates working on research in Canada, remuneration rates have not increased in over two decades. For example, scholarships for trainees provided by the federal government are just $17,500 for a master’s student, $21,000 or $35,000 for a doctoral student, and about $45,000 for a post-doctoral fellow, same as they were in 2003.
Most trainees in Canada are funded through Tri-Council grants received by their supervisors and based on the recent federal budget, Tri-Council budgets will remain stagnant moving forward. Meanwhile, Canada’s peers, such as the U.S., U.K., and Germany, have announced plans to drastically increase their investment in science and research in the coming years. That is why HealthCareCAN is strongly advocating for the federal government to double its funding of the Tri-Council along with annual increases that keep pace with inflation and global benchmarks. It’s not just about dollars, but about conducting more advanced health research in areas that promised to achieve great health outcomes for Canadians.
“The research community is frustrated,” said Dr. David Hill, co-chair of HealthCareCAN’s Vice Presidents of Health Research Committee. “I’m hearing more and more graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early career researchers saying that they’re tired of waiting for the federal government to step up their support while they struggle just to keep a roof over their heads. That frustration has come to a head now, as is evident by this walk-out.”
With the clock ticking, HealthCareCAN is joining the voices of our young researchers to urge the federal government to take immediate action to better support Canada’s research talent and their work, and demonstrate clear, unequivocal support for a community whose dedication and hard work helped us overcome the worst public health crises in over a century.
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations, hospitals and health research institutions across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare.
– 30 –
Media contact:
Alexandria Rowe, Communications and Member Services
arowe@healthcarecan.ca
Cell: 613-220-1023
Related:
HealthCareCAN recommendations to strengthen clinical trials in Canada reflected in CIHR report
April 21, 2023 (Ottawa) – HealthCareCAN welcomes a report by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) on advancing clinical trials in Canada, published on April 20 and informed by the perspectives and recommendations of a wide range of health system stakeholders and organizations from throughout Canada’s clinical trials ecosystem. We are particularly pleased to
HealthCareCAN continues to connect with federal health, research and innovation decision-makers
April 4, 2023 – March was a busy advocacy month for HealthCareCAN. In the lead up to Budget 2023 being released, HealthCareCAN was actively meeting with key decision-makers to continue advocating for health system transformation, improved health workforce supports, and increased investments in health research and innovation. On March 2, 2023, representatives from HealthCareCAN member
Budget 2023 a missed opportunity to strengthen health research in Canada
March 28, 2023 (Ottawa) – While Budget 2023 formalizes important and welcomed new investment to shore up healthcare in Canada, HealthCareCAN sees the lack of any long-term, sustainable funding for health research as short-sighted. Taking an approach of supporting strategic areas with the goal of wanting to strengthen Canada’s competitive advantage, but not seizing the
HealthCareCAN welcomes Report on the Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System
March 22, 2023 – The Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System’s report released this week provides thoughtful recommendations towards building a health research ecosystem that supports Canadian research talent, strengthens Canada’s standing as a global research power, and positions research as a key driver of Canada’s knowledge and innovation-based economy. HealthCareCAN is delighted