An open letter from a group of researchers from Manitoba has obtained the support of hundreds of other scientists and academics throughout the country, which are alarm on the effects of research cuts in the United States in Canadian research and urging federal political leaders to take measures.
The letter, which was shared on Friday and until Tuesday afternoon had more than 750 firms, said that “at a critical moment for global science.”
“The dramatic dismantling of the research infrastructure in the United States, the historical leader of the world in scientific investment, has left an international innovation vacuum,” he says.
Julie Lajoie, an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and one of the academics who wrote the letter, said that the current climate in the United States has created “a unique moment in time” in the opportunity he presents for Canada to take a step forward to fill the research vacuum.
“We cannot trust our neighbor … We need to take our place and need to take our place,” said Lajoie, whose research includes infectious diseases such as HIV.
“AND [to be] Able to do that, we need to have the government to finally see that science is important, research is important. “
The letter says that layoffs and programs cuts under the administration of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, in areas that include pathogenic surveillance, climate resilience, vaccine development, occupational health, cancer research and health of women in the main health and environment agencies in the United States “endangers the scientific and public health of all countries that have benefited from leadership of the United States and collaboration “.
This includes cuts for funds for biomedical research in the National Health Institutes, which supports more than 300,000 scientists and dismissals in the Research Office of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Oceanic and Atmospheric National Administration.
The researcher warns about the ‘indirect effect’
Paul Marcagliese, assistant professor of biochemistry and medical genetics at the University of Manitoba that was among those who signed the open letter, said that maintaining the status quo for the financing of research in Canada would represent “a degradation of our science”, given in part how the intertwined Canadian research is with funds or collaborators in the United States in the United States.
“There are already my colleagues where this financing has stopped. And then there are also people who, of course, are collaborating with Americans. Therefore, there is an indirect effect of the decrease in the funds of our research,” said Marcogliese.
“Certainly, five to 10 years later, if nothing changes what is happening, we will all be more and further back.”
While the American research climate provides an opportunity for scientists to bring their experience to Canada, the letter says that “a significant investment” in Canadian research is desperately necessary “to capture this opportunity.”
“If we want to attract those American scientists, we need to provide financing to do so,” said Lajoie. “At this time, financing in Canada is very limited.”
Among those who signed the letter was at least one academic based in the USA.
Faulkes said that while these changes make him think that it would be “good to go home, both for personal and professional reasons,” he hopes to see more discussion about Canada’s plan to improve his research financing so that there are more opportunities for scientists such as him interested in moving north of the border.
“I’m not going to say that I would take any work that opened because, you know, moving is always a complex proposal. But boy … I would appreciate the opportunity to see some offers,” Faulkes said. “An offer from Canada would weigh very, very strongly in my consideration.”
Call financing increases
The letter urges the Federal Government to raise the expense of science and technology to 1.25 percent of the GDP of Canada, a change that, he says, must include a duplication of funds for what is known as the tri-counsel agencies responsible for the country’s investigation funds: the country’s research research council of the country of the country: the Research Council of Natural Sciences and Natural Engineering, and the Council of Research of Socialities and Humanities.
It also requires that a research accelerator fund be established “to coincide and encourage provincial, commercial and non -profit investments in direct research and research infrastructure”, and for the government to eliminate the limit of international students.
“We receive applications almost every day by email from all over the world, of highly trained people who wish to carry out postgraduate studies with us,” said Marcogliese. “There should be no limit on that, and add levels of bureaucracy so that we can deal, trying to recruit an international postgraduate student.”
The letter argues that the investigation should not be seen as a cost for Canada, but as “a strategic catalyst for the long -term prosperity of Canada, which provides significant yields through economic growth and the quality of life improved”, noting that every dollar invested in research and development in Canada produces approximately $ 4 in GDP, according to the GDP, according to Findings of support our scientific campaign.
In a statement sent by email, the Liberal Party says that it will have more details about its plan to improve the financing of the research in Canada once its platform is published. The conservatives and the NDP did not respond to a request for comments on Tuesday.
