Mixed Messages in Budget 2006 for Health Research .
Ottawa- Research Canada: An Alliance for Health Discovery supports the
position of the federal government in Budget 2006 in viewing the key role
of research in improving productivity, ensuring a rising standard of
living and strengthening health care. As the publicly funded health system
is a competitive advantage for Canadian businesses, it is important to
support the health research that will keep it affordable, efficient and
leading edge.
"While Research Canada is pleased with the two year commitment to
health research funding, we are disappointed in the $17 million
increase in budget allocated annually to the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research (CIHR)", said Dr. David Hill, Research Canada Chair and
Scientific Director of the Lawson Health Research Institute. "Without
adequate funding for health research, not only is Canada at risk of losing
ground in our research, our innovation and our ability to compete
globally, but also of losing our best and our brightest young researchers.
The smaller-than-expected budget increases in 2006 will jeopardize the
positive investment in health innovation that has gone before. We are
still not using our intellectual resources to their full advantage in
Canada."
If Canada is to realize its potential, as a nation, it must invest in the
research that will result in the innovations,
which will be our competitive edge in a fast-paced global economy.
Therefore, while Research Canada supports the new Conservative Government
in its efforts to set a new standard and to be fiscally responsible, the
proposed accountability process should not stem the critical work under
way nor impede future innovations.
"The health research community puts Canadians first by taking
responsibility for both its strategic direction and its accountability to
the people of Canada," said Deborah Gordon-El-Bihbety, President and
CEO, Research Canada. "We believe that when governments spend better
on health research then they will spend less on health care."
Research Canada: An Alliance for Health Discovery is a not-for-profit,
voluntary organization. Working for Canadians, our membership is drawn
from all sectors and is dedicated to making health research an investment
in Canada's future.
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Information:
Ms. Patricia Coghlin
(613) 234-5129
