The new House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research decided to begin its work with a study of successes, challenges and opportunities for science in Canada, with a special focus on government science, research during the pandemic, big science and emerging opportunities.

The witnesses heard by the Committee spoke about the strengths of Canada’s science and research sector and some of the successes of Canadian scientists. They also discussed the challenges Canada faces with increasing international competition. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare some of these challenges, such as the connections between science and democracy, and Canada’s biomanufacturing capacity. However, other issues, such as big science funding and governance, and investment levels in government research, were already there before the pandemic.

The evidence received by the Committee also outlined the opportunities that Canada should seize to consolidate its position on science and research. In particular, the witnesses shared recommendations with the Committee on the funding of research, the workings of the research ecosystem, research in colleges and in the regions, the commercialization of research, and investment in the next generation of scientists.

The evidence compiled by the Committee resulted in 13 recommendations for the Government of Canada on these themes.