Federal economic update provides critically needed support

Great news for McGill and Montreal: Principal Heather Munroe-Blum

McGill University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum strongly endorses the $6.5 billion in new support for innovation and education announced in the Economic and Fiscal Update issued by federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale.

Increasingly, governments at all levels and society as a whole are recognizing that our future quality of life in Quebec and Canada will depend upon attracting, equipping and retaining here at home, the most promising and talented people from around the world. Investments by Quebec and Canada are helping McGill and our sister universities to attract superb researchers to build their lives and careers here in Canada. These students and faculty members make a very positive impact on our communities, and strengthen our ability to attract jobs and investment to Montreal. Together with the Update, the Minister also released A Plan for Growth and Prosperity, which lays out a multi-year plan of support for such initiatives.

"To strengthen this success, we must have assurances that public support will continue for the range of innovation investments which allow these talented colleagues to reach their greatest potential. In this promise of investment by the Government of Canada, a strong message has been sent. It is an exceptionally welcome message," said Dr. Munroe-Blum.

In particular, McGill warmly welcomes:

• The decision to meet the full costs of federally sponsored research, through a new investment in the indirect costs of research, which include health and safety obligations, libraries, technology and utility supports and related costs;
• $500 million of new support to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), a program which has had a transformative impact on Canadian campuses, supporting the world's very best research in innovative programs, such as the expansion of genomics and proteomics infrastructure in Quebec, a $32-million project, supported by a $12.8-million grant from CFI.
• A $1-billion investment in this fiscal year, to allow provinces to meet urgent infrastructure needs and improve access across the systems of post-secondary education.
• More than $2.2 billion over five years to address issues of affordability for low and middle income Canadians, in meeting the full costs associated with higher education.
• Significant increases in the base allocations to the agencies that power research in Canada — the federal granting councils — and a creative combination of integrated facilities and internships to boost the prospects for research partnerships with industry, and transfer new knowledge to the community and the marketplace.
• A package of supports to encourage international student mobility and access for Canadian researchers to great international research projects — both in the US, Japan and Europe, but also with India, China and other emerging knowledge powerhouses. With this international exposure, our researchers will be able to prove their talent and science on the world stage and attract to Canada a full array of partnerships and investments in their excellent work.

"McGill is keen to continue working closely with government to ensure that these new investments take shape in a manner that is fully leveraged to ensure the maximum positive impact for Quebec, Canada and all Canadians," said Munroe-Blum. "The Minister has shown that he clearly understands the challenges we face, and that his government is keen to partner with universities to ensure our strong future."