Category: Advocacy

Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB) has long been advocating for the reinforcement of Canada’s health research and innovation ecosystem and is pleased to see the Federal Government’s acknowledgement of this critical need in Budget 2024.

The measures, outlined below, will help research institutions  across the country support the next generation of scientists by encouraging graduate and post-graduate students to innovate , pursue breakthroughs in science discovery research, and develop intellectual property – in Canada.  This is critical for retaining talent in Canada, enhancing productivity, competitiveness and economic resilience, as well as confronting challenges in health research. + + + →

Following the announcement by the Government of Canada of investment in researchers and projects across Canada, the CSMB congratulates all recipients and @ISED- ISDE for supporting vital research in Canada. CSMB continues to call for predictable and consistent federal funding. Cross-sectorial research in Canada is a vital tool in supporting Canadian productivity, emergency preparedness, and economic resilience for years to come.

The Science and Research Committee report on the study of “ GOVERNMENT OF CANADA’S GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS” was tabled today in the House of Commons.

The entire report is available here. Recommendations made by committee members are favourable and aligned with the recommendations CSMB put forward in our submission response. For reference, see the first recommendation below : + + + →

The CSMB and Temple Scott Associates held an Effective Advocacy Webinar

In this session, the CMSB and TSA discussed the foundations of government relations and tips for effective lobbying.

Subjects covered :

• What is CSMB advocating for at the federal level?
• How can CSMB members enhance CSMB’s federal advocacy?
• Tips for effective meetings with parliamentarians.
• Election preparedness : what types of questions should I be asking candidates in the event of an election?

View the recording here:

The CSMB leadership participated in the a Panel discussion on the Impact of Science and Innovation on Society at the 2024 Canadian Science Policy Conference, on November 2, 2023.

CSMB also attended the in-person portion of the CSPC Meeting in Ottawa. It was an opportunity to meet and network with decision-makers, stakeholders in Science Policy in Canada, and science advocates, including the author of the Bouchard report, Frédéric Bouchard, and Minister Kirsty Duncan.

The CSMB submitted a brief to the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2024 Budget held by the Finance committee of the House of Commons.

Read our brief here:

Boosting Investment in Scientific Research: An Important Tool for Crisis Preparedness and Keeping Talent in Canada + + + →

The CSMB submitted a brief to the House of Commons Science and Research committee study: Government of Canada’s Graduate Scholarship and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programs. Escerpt:

Alongside a number of stakeholders within Canada’s scientific community, the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences is drawing attention to the need for enhanced and sustained federal investments in science and discovery research. This will ensure Canada is well positioned to attract, retain and support the scientists, and aspiring scientists, who are choosing to pursue their groundbreaking research in Canada, rather than competing jurisdictions internationally, as well as those who are aspiring to pursue professions outside of research.

Read our full brief on the House of Commons Science and Research site here:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/441/SRSR/Brief/BR12565939/br-external/CanadianSocietyForMolecularBiosciences-e.pdf

Visit the study webpage for more information and updates

June 15, 2023 (OTTAWA) – Scientists from all over the country flocked to the University of Ottawa earlier this month for the annual conference of the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB), which focused this year on metabolism and its implications for cancer. Usually an event filled with activities and excitement, however, the mood among young scientists was somewhat subdued, with many raising concerns about their ability to continue their careers in Canada. + + + →

Our submission is available here

We invite you to read our submission to pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2023 budget of the House of Commons permanent committee on Finances (FINA)
View our submission:

Boosting Investment in Scientific Research: An Important Tool for Post-COVID 19 Economic Recovery Readiness and for Meeting Future Challenges

The deadline to submit a brief is Saturday, 8 October 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time – View the news release here

On June 6, the new House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research tabled its first ever report, as part of its study on “Successes, Challenges and Opportunities for Science in Canada”. The Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB) was one of sixteen organizations that submitted a written submission as part of the consultations. The Committee held meetings over the course of three months, which CSMB closely followed, hearing from science and research organizations, post-secondary institutions, companies and government departments. + + + →

Science Policy Session with Senator Stan Kutcher
Co-hosted by the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences and the Canadian Association for Neuroscience

On Monday, April 25, the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences and the Canadian Association for Neuroscience welcomed the Honourable Senator Stan Kutcher for a session on science policy and advice. + + + →

The Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences echoes the disappointment being expressed by others in the scientific community in response to Federal Budget 2022. Funding for basic discovery research in the sciences has not received the financial support needed for the creation of new knowledge from Canada’s scientists, despite the pandemic clearly showing the necessity of ongoing investments to support fundamental research. We need to look only as far as the pandemic to realize the impact basic science has had on global health. Specifically, we would not have mRNA vaccines had there not been significant and sustained basic funding to basic scientists decades ago. Nor would we have artificial intelligence or machine learning without basic research, funded by the federal government, to researchers working on, at the time, novel ideas that had no obvious application. + + + →

Research Canada has submitted a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research – read it here

The Science and Research Committee is still accepting formal submissions to this study (Successes, Challenges and Opportunities for Science in Canada), and we encourage our Members to submit as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

The Committee has also agreed to launch a study on Top Talent, Research and Innovation. While the first meeting is yet to be scheduled, the Committee is now accepting briefs under this study.
Submit briefs to the Clerk of the Committee:
Mr. Leif-Erik Aune
Tel.: 613-943-9388
Email: SRSR@parl.gc.ca
Website: ourcommons.ca/SRSR-e

Senator Stan Kutcher: A Champion for Science in Parliament

Earlier this week, Senator Stan Kutcher (Nova Scotia) co-authored an article with Dr. Abraham Fuks (McGill University) in Policy Options titled “Canada needs to grow basic science capacity.” This article is a great read that echoes our communities’ long-standing calls for increased and sustained investments in fundamental science as a critical driver of health security and economic prosperity. Since his nomination to the Senate in 2018, Dr. Kutcher has attended many Parliamentary Health Research Caucus events, and we are thrilled to see him continue to champion science and health research with his parliamentary colleagues and the Canadian public.

Our thanks and congratulations go to both the Senator and Dr. Fuks for working together on this great article!
Click here to read: Canada needs to grow basic science capacity