University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon supports the recommendations of a panel appointed by Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan in its recently released report, Investing in Canada’s Future: Strengthening the Foundations of
Canadian Research.

“The report makes a number of critical recommendations, including increasing funding over four years for investigator-led research across discipline, regularizing funding to the Canada Foundation for Innovation, increasing the Research Support Fund as well as taking steps to better coordinate the federal research system,” says Mahon. “The report also recommends funding researchers in different stages of their career, which is key in both attracting and retaining the country’s brightest minds.”

The University of Lethbridge participated in the consultation process used to draft this report. In addition to its own submission, the U of L also prepared a joint submission with Lakehead University, the University of Winnipeg and Vancouver Island University that highlighted the important role regional universities undertake for the benefit of the communities they serve.

“In regard to recommending increased funds for investigator-led research, we believe this will support critical research that impacts the economic and social health of southern Alberta and beyond,” adds Mahon. “In the coming weeks, we will further analyze the contents of this important report to fully understand its recommendations.”

The University is appreciative of the panel members for the time they spent on conducting this vital work, and specifically Dr. Claudia Malacrida, U of L Associate Vice-President (Research), who served on the prestigious panel.