Genome Canada head abruptly resigns

Dr Martin Godbout has resigned as president and CEO of Genome Canada after 10 years in the position, effective immediately. Godbout's departure was announced in a statement from Genome Canada board chair Dr Thomas Caskey, which said he was returning to the private sector "and pursue other opportunities in the genomics field". Calls to Godbout for comment were not returned.

A transition team comprised of board and management personnel has been established to run the organization and oversee a process to select a replacement. Godbout's tenure as head of the arm's length agency has been the focus of speculation since he publicly criticized the absence of new funding for the organization in the last federal Budget (R$, February 9/09). His comments ignited a storm of criticism national and internationally.

At the time, Godbout said the lack of new funding reflected the government's lack of understanding of the value of research and would limit Genome Canada's ability to contribute to any large-scale projects or initiate new competitions.

Three of the five research areas identified by the organization as priorities remain unfunded. The lack of new funding also prompted Genome Canada in late March to withdraw support for the Canadian-led International Regulome Consortium, prompting the termination of the portion of the project dependent upon Genome Canada funding and necessitating cuts to staff and operational spending.

After the pitched media battle over Genome Canada funding, the organization fell silent, neglecting to announce the resignation of its board chair — renowned researcher and research manager Dr Cal Stiller (The press release was posted on the Genome Canada's web site last week after an inquiry from RE$EARCH MONEY, only the third press release issued by the organization in 2009).

Godbout was a member of the original task force which led to Genome Canada's formation in 2000. Since its inception, it has received $840 million in federal funding and leveraged an even greater amount from provincial and other sources. Genome canada's request for the 2009 was for $350 million over five years.

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