Letter to the Editor: Gary Goodyear

Recently, Research Money published an article that cited Statistics Canada figures for gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) (R$, December 17/12). From the article, it appears that, as a country, our investments in research have declined.

This may lead some to believe we are under-investing in scientific research. However, the bigger picture reveals Canada is among the world's leaders.

This past year alone offers some of the strongest evidence yet.

In September, the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) published a report on the state of Canadian science and technology (S&T). This country has established a strong reputation for S&T, the report said.

Canada ranks fourth in the world for the quality of its scientific research in a survey of more than 5,000 top-cited international researchers. Moreover, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development continues to rank Canada first in the G7 in higher-education expenditures on research and development expressed as a percentage of GDP.

Canada is punching well above its weight. This speaks not only to Canadian productivity in science, but also to our widely recognized reliability as a source of sound knowledge and leading-edge thinking.

Since 2006, our Government has provided $8 billion in new funding for science, technology and the growth of innovative firms. While we continue our strong investments in basic science, we also believe in the transformative potential of science in the marketplace.

But we need to improve business-led support to research and development. We are focusing on investments that will support researchers and the private sector in designing new products and creating new markets.

Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 provides $1.1 billion in additional funding to support science in the marketplace and improve business expenditures on research and development (R&D). We are doubling the size of one of our most successful initiatives, the Industrial Research Assistance Program, to significantly enhance support for R&D performed by small and medium-sized companies across the country.

We are redefining the way governments, business and the research community come together to drive economic activity through science.

At a time when innovation is increasingly dependent on collaboration, we are taking a leadership role by providing programs that bring the private and public sectors together. This leads to a supportive climate for start-ups, and attracting and retaining world-class talent.

Innovation creates jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians. In today's modern economy, our quality of life demands nothing less.

These are our goals. We are confident we are on the right track.

Gary Goodyear

Minister of State (Science and Technology)