Considerations for a road map for research in Canada

By Roseann O’Reilly Runte

Roseann O’Reilly Runte is President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. This op-ed, in a shorter version, first appeared here.

For as long as I can remember, I have heard calls for a strategic research plan for Canada. Of course, if we are to invest in research, we must have goals that begin with the pursuit of excellence and tangible benefits to Canada and the world.

Since research plays a fundamental role in supporting the health and well-being of our population, the safety and security of communities, environmental measures that will make life sustainable and grow the economy, the question is not whether we should support research.  It is essential. The question is rather can we afford NOT to do research that will feed every sector of the economy and aspects of our lives?

It is not possible to undertake everything at once and we must therefore establish priorities. One way to do this is to track progress over the last several decades, which have seen the growth of educational institutions and research and health care facilities across the country. We can also identify areas of strength and promising growth, and review the research plans of universities, federal research granting agencies, and organizations such as the National Research Council of Canada and Laboratories Canada.

We can seek inspiration from the research plans of other nations to build on the resources that are available in this country, the expertise of the population and our needs.  These can help us identify areas where Canada can – and must – strive to meet global needs, enabling us to assume an important role on the world stage, one based on the excellence of our people and the wise and sustainable development of our possibilities.

Sustained investment in research infrastructure over the years provided the foundation for development in many areas of importance to Canadians, including health, industrial production and technology, environmental protection, energy, transportation, agriculture and food security, resources exploitation, exploration of Earth and space, education and social and cultural development. Arctic and polar science, for instance, is not only essential in a time of climate change but for the health and security of our population.

Today, research infrastructure underpins our country’s capacity to undertake leading-edge research and the ambitions of Canadian researchers to be global leaders in their field. More than ever, we need to invest in a state-of-the-art research environment to enable world-class research.

Canada’s people are the country’s most precious resource

Canada should stand out among nations in recognizing consistently its population as its most precious resource as well as the increasing importance of data collection, storage, standardization and analytics in every field. Creativity, knowledge and data are the keys to unleash the innovations that will shape our future.   

Looking at the geo-political context, we must continue supporting our traditional partnerships with the U.S. and Europe. With Canada’s new membership in Horizon Europe, we have the opportunity to build bridges with European nations and assist not only in their focus on energy sources such as hydrogen and nuclear power but to look for new initiatives in which we can share, particularly in the area of environmental protection.

Science diplomacy plays an increasingly important role in the world today. Looking at the exponential growth plans for research in the Indo Pacific Area, we should consider additional research collaborations with researchers in this region of the globe. Research in underexplored areas and new fields of endeavor will provide areas in which all nations can work together in the interests of all.

Resources that abound in Canada include arable land, forests, minerals, oil and gas, wind and solar power and other alternative energy sources, an educated population, state-of-the-art research facilities, ideas and innovation, digital and data networks, oceans and water, and are all interrelated to ensure a better future to Canadians.  

Mission-driven research can help address complex issues such as housing which mobilizes multiple disciplines to address social, environmental, architectural, energy and quality of life considerations. Should existing buildings be repurposed and geo-thermal refitted?  Shelter is a fundamental human need but the kind of space that builds families and healthy communities is also as important.

Research is a privilege and a responsibility. It has the potential to change our lives and those of our fellow citizens. It is an essential part of a successful economy and contributes to the health and well-being of the population, the environment, the languages and cultures we share, and the kind of communities we create. It provides solutions to pressing problems and fuels our imaginations. It makes us think beyond our horizons and step out of our habitual paths. It offers people the opportunity to transcend boundaries and humanity the means to apply rational thought to complex problems and passion to the work that will lead to new discoveries and contribute to a better future.

Guiding our investments in research and innovation

Here are 12 considerations to guide our investments in discoveries, research infrastructure and innovation:

• Make national research facilities world-class and build the base for excellence across the country by supporting research across disciplines.
• Recognize the importance of research and researchers as a key resource and train the new generation in state-of-the-art labs and facilities.
• Create the capacity to store, standardize and analyze data for Canada, international projects, and the leadership of Canadian researchers.
• Aim high and continue to participate in large, international science and social development projects, like CERN and large telescopes as well as space initiatives.
• Invest in research in the North and do so in collaboration with the local population.
• Preserve and use wisely forests and oceans while moving to prevent wildfires and working for remediation of environmental degradation.
• Understand international needs and markets and be a world leader in food production and food security.
• Be a world leader in safe, sustainable resources extraction, invest in our manufacturing capacity and create wealth by adding value to resources extracted on Canadian soil.
• Embrace emerging fields of research and their applications in artificial intelligence, quantum, photonics, precision medicine and advanced manufacturing to the benefit of humankind.
• Improve population health and health care.
• Support mission-driven research in areas of direct benefit to Canadian communities such as housing, sustainable manufacturing, and quality of life.
• Constantly seek new opportunities, nurture creativity, and encourage discoveries and innovations.

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