CCR submission to the 2007 pre-budget consultations

Executive Summary
Canada’s social and economic success, and its global competitiveness, depends on a vibrant research sector and strong post-secondary education institutions. We know that the government understands this and is reviewing how best to boost our country’s capabilities in these areas. The Consortium, reflecting the views of Canada’s front-line researchers, advocates three steps to help us all build a stronger and more competitive Canada:

One – Create a dedicated federal/provincial transfer mechanism to increase funding for the core operating costs of post-secondary education institutions.

Two – Increase the budgets of the federal granting agencies to support basic research, including an additional, asymmetrical increase to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Three – Invest in government research infrastructure and the rejuvenation of science human resources.