{"id":10173,"date":"2019-02-05T07:50:54","date_gmt":"2019-02-05T14:50:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/canadianglycomics.ca\/?p=10173"},"modified":"2019-04-29T23:56:15","modified_gmt":"2019-04-30T05:56:15","slug":"opinion-federal-research-cuts-will-erode-research-capabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianglycomics.ca\/fr\/opinion-federal-research-cuts-will-erode-research-capabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion: Federal research cuts will erode research capabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Dr. Todd Lowary, GlycoNet Scientific Director<\/em><\/h6>\n

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\nThe Canadian research ecosystem works for the well-being of all Canadians. It is founded on multidisciplinary and translational innovation and fuelled by partnerships between a vibrant university research sector and industry.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nPoliticians have long understood that a national alignment of research priorities helps find concrete solutions to the current and future needs of Canadians. Cross-country research collaboration also allows all provinces, including Alberta, to attract and retain talent and to diversify their economy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nMany believed that Justin Trudeau\u2019s election would propel Canadian sciences and scientific research even further. However, last December, Minister of Science and Sport Kristy Duncan made an announcement that calls the Liberals\u2019 commitment to long-term translational research into question.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nFor nearly 30 years, networks funded under the National Centres of Excellence (NCE) program have focused resources from the federal government and partner organizations to answer some of Canada\u2019s most critical social and economic challenges.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nFunding also helped equip scientists with the skills needed to work across disciplines, enabling them to find solutions to increasingly complex problems in a globalized world. The networks are not only responsible for research breakthroughs; they also contribute to an increase in private-sector investments in research and development.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe NCE program is a shining example of what can be delivered when government, universities, foundations, industry, citizens\u2019 groups and non-government partners work together for the health and advancement of our communities. It is internationally recognized, and even copied around the globe.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe decision to phase out NCEs by 2023 will halt the development of many innovative technologies currently under development in many networks across the country.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nTo date, questions about what motivated the decision are left unanswered. A government that ran on promises of transparency has failed to provide answers to its research community about this decision. We still await an adequate explanation of what led to the termination of a program that has been supported by politicians of all stripes since its creation under the Mulroney government.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThis decision directly impacts Edmonton and Alberta because one of the NCEs, the Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNet), is headquartered at the University of Alberta.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nResearch in glycomics \u2014 the study of the role of carbohydrates in biology and, in particular, human health \u2014 is currently exploding worldwide, as is the translation of that research into tangible benefits. Alberta has long recognized the socio-economic benefits of retaining international leadership of glycomics research in the province.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe provincial government, through Alberta Innovates and predecessor organizations, invested in creating the Alberta Glycomics Centre in 2002. This world-class group cemented Edmonton\u2019s place as a world leader in glycomics research and allowed a federal initiative \u2014 GlycoNet \u2014 to be born.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe demise of the NCE program now endangers Alberta\u2019s ability to retain that leadership and to compete globally.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nGlycoNet launched in 2015 and now includes 140 research groups across 31 Canadian research organizations. Their research touches critical human-health issues including heart disease, diabetes, infectious diseases, cancer, Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s diseases. Twenty of these groups are at three Alberta universities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nIn just over three years, GlycoNet-funded research has led to the creation of three Alberta-based companies. One, PanTHERA CryoSolutions, is developing novel cryoprotectant agents for cells and blood products, an estimated market of US$4 billion, and one that is expected to grow as stem cell-based therapies become more prominent.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWithout the NCE program, what will fill the void? The government points to a new program \u2014 The New Frontiers in Research Fund. The amounts allotted by the new program are too short-term and too small for researchers to tackle critical challenges in a meaningful way.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWhat is even more disturbing is that the announced program does not capitalize on the network-driven approach that is critical for finding concrete solutions to complex problems.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nGlycoNet is committed to finding innovative solutions to unmet medical needs while helping grow, and diversify Alberta\u2019s and Canada\u2019s economy. However, our task has been made significantly harder by the federal government\u2019s unfortunate decision to discontinue a program that has proven its value to Canada\u2019s economy and health over the past 30 years.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nWe hope the federal government will offer an appropriate funding alternative to NCEs. The Canadian research ecosystem and knowledge-driven economy depend on the research conducted by NCEs and the innovations they generate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nThis article originally appeared in the Edmonton Journal on February 5, 2019: https:\/\/edmontonjournal.com\/opinion\/columnists\/opinion-trudeaus-research-cuts-will-hurt-albertas-economy<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

he Canadian research ecosystem works for the well-being of all Canadians. It is founded on multidisciplinary and translational innovation and fuelled by partnerships between a vibrant university research sector and industry.Politicians have long understood that a national alignment of research priorities helps find concrete solutions to the current and future needs of Canadians. Cross-country research collaboration also allows all provinces, including Alberta, to attract and retain talent and to diversify their economy.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11347,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[204],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","wpbf-post"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t