SRSR Committee Report

Supplementary Report from a Member of the Bloc Québécois

The Bloc Québécois wants to thank the staff of the Library of Parliament, the clerks, and the interpreters for all the work done as part of this study. We would also like to acknowledge the essential contribution of the witnesses for their enlightening presentations.

This supplementary opinion aims to introduce additional recommendations, which were made both by the witnesses during their testimony and through the submission of briefs. While participation in this study has been the most significant in the history of this committee, we believe that the recommendations presented in the current report do not fully represent the scope of the expectations and concerns expressed by the scientific community.

In this regard, we propose the inclusion of the following recommendations, in addition to those already presented in the committee members' report. Each recommendation is supported by the testimonies and briefs submitted, as detailed in the references provided.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada allocate its research grants in such a manner that respect the demographic weight of each official language community in Quebec, particularly through dedicated funds, with the aim of achieving the concept of institutional completeness.

Supported by the recommendation of Frédéric Lacroix in his brief:

The awarding of research grants should aim to achieve institutional completeness for each official language community in Quebec.

Also supported by the testimony of Ted Hewitt and Alejandro Adem on May 2, 2024, regarding dedicated envelopes in various funding agencies.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada, through the funding agencies, namely the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, expand funding to a greater number of researchers, with a focus on early-career researchers and those affiliated with universities outside the U15, while supporting an increased diversity of disciplines.

              Supported by the recommendation of Olivier Bégin-Caouette in his brief:

Recommendation 1: Increase the pool of funded researchers, particularly those early in their careers and those in universities outside of the U15, through enhanced support for the traditional funding programs of the three research councils.

No current recommendation addresses the issue raised by Vincent Larivière regarding the concentration of funding among researchers, with not all of them being funded. He notably pointed out during the meeting on April 18 that the NSERC’s method of funding a significantly higher proportion of researchers than other funding agencies is an effective example.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada, through the funding agencies, namely the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, dedicate a specific fund for small and medium-sized universities and universities located in the regions, and provides grants to maintain the infrastructure already in place as well as funding to compensate the highly qualified personnel.

Supported by the recommendation from UQTR in their report:

Recommendation 3 | That funding councils be mandated to support the development of research across all regions and university towns in Canada. In this regard, they should consult all institutions regarding the parameters, development, or modification of funding programs.

Also supported by Shannon Wagner’s recommendation during her intervention on April 11 in committee:

There are ways to expand the system and establish specific programs to support smaller institutions in areas where it is a bit more challenging to break through.

Also supported by the UQAM brief:

Recommendation 2 - That the government significantly increase funding for fundamental research, knowledge mobilization, and social and human sciences research, and provide grants to maintain existing infrastructures and funding to compensate the highly qualified personnel necessary to operate research equipment necessary to operate the research equipment.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada establish a new allocation method and a minimum threshold per institution for the granting of Canada Research Chairs (CRC). That this minimum threshold be proportional to the number of researchers per establishment, to ensure a more equitable distribution of chairs.

Supported by the recommendation from UQTR in its brief:

Recommendation 2 | That the government establish a new allocation method and a minimum threshold per institution for the granting of Canada Research Chairs (CRC). This minimum threshold should be proportional to the number of researchers per institution, to ensure a more equitable distribution of chairs.

Also supported by the UQ network report:

Recommendation 4. That a minimum threshold per higher education institution be established for the granting of Canada Research Chairs based on the number of researchers they employ.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, provide greater support for non-medical research, so that the grants awarded are more representative of the disciplinary diversity within the field of health and social services.

Supported by the recommendation from the UQ network in their brief:

Recommendation 3. That the CIHR programs provide greater support for non-medical research so that the grants awarded are more representative of the disciplinary diversity within the health and social services field.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada redirect 10% of payments from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund to create new Canada Research Chairs in small and medium-sized universities.

One of the recommendations from ACCRU in their brief.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada raise the minimum threshold per higher education institution for the granting of Canada Graduate Scholarships at the master’s and doctoral level, considering the number of graduate students enrolled.

One of the recommendations from the UQ network presented in their brief.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada allow universities outside the U15 and post-secondary institutions such as colleges, CEGEPs, and CCTTs to lead major projects by facilitating their access to the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.

Supported by the brief from ÉTS submitted to the committee:

Be bold and allow universities outside of the U15 to lead major projects that are beneficial for talent development and retention, as well as for the economy of Canada.

Also supported by the testimony of Dena McMartin on April 18, 2024:

(Regarding access to Canada First Research Excellence Fund). As you mentioned, we do not necessarily have the administrative overhead, the staff, or the capacity to relieve teachers of their workload for a year, which are all necessary elements to meet the requirements. These are substantial grants.