November 21, 2023 (Ottawa, ON) – The federal Fall Economic Statement (FES) delivered today by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland unfortunately did not provide critically needed new support for health research in Canada, meaning that our nation’s world-leading health researchers continue to wait and wonder if they will be able to continue their vital work.
The minister said: “We believe in Canada, and we believe in the incredible possibility of Canada’s future and that is why we are making the investments Canada needs to make that bright future a reality.” Investing in health research should be part of that bright future.
HealthCareCAN continues to recommend that the federal government urgently Increase investment to support health researchers who are conducting groundbreaking research to discover innovations that will improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes. Investing in health research should not be seen as just “red ink in Canada’s fiscal statements”.
The federal government must also move quickly to provide increased support for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to ensure Canada has the highly qualified personnel it needs to support its knowledge economy, compete globally, and uncover the research-based findings that will improve our healthcare system and health outcomes for the people of Canada.
Paul-Émile Cloutier
President and CEO
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.
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Media contact: Steve Wharry, Communications and Member Services
swharry@healthcarecan.ca
Cell: 613-761-8400
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