Regional agencies and National Research Council see budgets decline in FY11-12

The release of the federal Main Estimates prior to the Budget reveal that the majority of agencies supporting industrial, regional and scientific-technological activity will decline in FY11-12 on a year-over-year basis. Save for the granting councils, these agencies will experience significant reductions in their budget allocations, with the regional development agencies hardest hit (see chart).

The spectacular declines in funding for the regional agencies (between 16.8% and 56.5%) are likely due to the sunsetting of economic stimulus funding, which the Main Estimates do not quantify. Also hit by cuts are the National Research Council , which is slated to drop $58.1 million or 7.8% from FY10-11.

The Main Estimates don't rule out any increases which may be contained in the March 22 federal Budget, although the government has repeatedly ruled out major new spending. Any increases in funding would be contained in supplementary estimates which follow the Budget by several weeks.

Departmental budgets are also slated to decline although it's unclear how their S&T allocations will be impacted.

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