[cmath] TR : Don't leave Canada behind Campaign
Collin, Olivier
collin.olivier at uqam.ca
Wed Apr 1 11:19:27 EDT 2009
Please add my name to the list of signatures:
Olivier Collin, professeur
Département de Mathématiques
Université du Québec à Montréal
Thank you!
> De : Concerned Researchers <concerned.researchers at gmail.com>
> Date : 23 mars 2009 14:27:39 HAE
> À : cmath at cms.math.ca
> Objet : [cmath] Don't leave Canada behind Campaign
>
> Dear colleague,
>
> The following open letter to the Prime minister and the Leader of
> the Opposition was already signed by hundreds of your colleagues
> across Canada. The french version follows the list of signatures
> below. Please let us know by answering this email whether you would
> like to sign it. You are also encouraged to send your thoughts on
> the "DON'T LEAVE CANADA BEHIND CAMPAIGN" to the Prime Minister at
> <pm at pm.gc.ca> or/and to the Leader of the Opposition at
> <Ignatieff.M at parl.gc.ca>
>
>
>
> March 16, 2009
> The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada
> The Right Honourable Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Opposition
> Ottawa
> Subject: Don't leave Canada behind
>
>
> Dear Prime Minister, Dear Leader of the Opposition
>
> U.S. President Barack Obama is taking advantage of the current
> financial crisis to push his country forward in new directions by
> greatly boosting funding to scientific research and education as a
> means to jump start innovation in a new economy. The scope of his
> vision is stunning, including an increase of more than $15 billion
> in scientific research, and a promise to double the funding for
> education in the next 10 years. For more details, see
> http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=62
>
> Our government has also tried to stimulate the research /
> university sector in Canada, wishing to take important initiatives.
> At the heart of the plan is a $2 billion dollars infrastructure
> fund for shovel-ready renovation projects in post-secondary
> institutions, a fund that was actively solicited by university
> presidents. There is also an additional $750 million for the
> Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and $87.5 million over
> three years for doctoral scholarships. While these funding
> announcements are surely welcome, we would like to share our
> concerns as to the potential effect of some of these decisions, in
> particular in view of the bold and visionary course taken by the
> Obama administration south of the border.
>
> 1. When the U.S. government is proposing to boost the funding of
> the National Science Foundation (NSF) by 40% ($3 billion on top of
> its current $6.9 billion), we see Canada's "stimulus budget"
> cutting NSERC's by 5%. When the U.S. administration is proposing to
> boost the funding of the National Institute of Health (NIH) by 30%
> ($8.5 billion in addition to its current $29 billion), our
> "stimulus budget" is cutting CIHR's by 5%, while essentially
> ignoring the needs of Genome Canada. When US researchers are being
> actively approached for ideas to use the stimulus money to think
> big and to hire and retain their researchers, their Canadian
> counterparts are now scrambling to identify budget cuts for their
> Labs, while worrying about the future of their graduating students.
> Recent Tri-council grants competitions, which were post stimulus
> budget, are already pointing towards sharply lower success rates
> (by more than 20% in some disciplines), lower start-up grants for
> young researchers, and negligible research funding for smaller
> institutions and provinces. These cuts are huge steps backward for
> Canadian Science and we ask the government to immediately develop a
> multi-year plan to significantly increase this country's R&D
> investment through our granting councils.
>
> 2. The infrastructure support for Canada's post-secondary
> institutions is surely beneficial for their depleted budgets for
> deferred maintenance. However, the federal support requires 50% in
> matching funds which few institutions currently have. The net
> effect of this decision will be to dictate priorities for
> universities and provincial governments too eager to get the
> federal funds, and as such to divert further funds from teaching,
> training and research. We therefore ask government to drop the
> requirement of matching funds.
>
> 3. The CFI has provided a tremendous boost to certain aspects of
> Canada's research infrastructure over the last 10 years. However,
> the constraints of the program have left many important research
> disciplines out of its potential beneficial impact. Moreover,
> similar matching rules continue to apply to CFI projects, and as a
> consequence of the present lack of available support from the
> private sector and from provincial governments, even some of the
> already approved projects are being postponed and cancelled. At
> this point in time, we believe that removing the matching
> requirements for current and future CFI projects would be extremely
> beneficial for Canada and its research infrastructure.
>
> 4. The funding of an additional 500 doctoral scholarships is great
> news for a country that is committed to have ``the best educated,
> most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world". However, it
> seems this funding is coming at the expense of the highly qualified
> personnel (HQP's) that could have been recruited more efficiently
> by our senior researchers through their Tri-Council grants. We
> believe that a more efficient strategy for ensuring a successful
> HQP policy is to give our leading researchers the flexibility to
> manage the selection, recruitment, and support of their own
> graduate students through their peer-reviewed research grants, and
> via well-established leveraging procedures with the universities
> and the private sector. We also regret that the $17.5-million
> assigned to SSHRC for graduate scholarships have been earmarked
> towards students in business and finance. As Alain Dubuc writes in
> La Presse: ``En boudant certains domaines de recherche, nos
> universités vont perdre leur pouvoir d'attraction. Et bien des
> jeunes talentueux iront ailleurs.
> (See http://www.cyberpresse.ca/opinions/chroniqueurs/alain-dubuc/
> 200903/06/01-833827-apres-les-artistes-les-chercheurs.php )
>
> 5. President Obama is proposing to double federal funding for
> education over the next 10 years, and pledging to "restore science
> to its rightful place" with billions in new investments. To advise
> his government, he has appointed leading scientists to his cabinet
> and as his advisors (including a Nobel laureate as energy
> Secretary). The Obama administration has also involved the
> directors of NIH and NSF in federal budget discussions about the
> future of research. We need a similar approach in Canada, where top
> research scientists and humanists can help shape directions in
> Ottawa for research funding.
>
> A new economy is coming out of this crisis and research and
> development will be the lifeblood to that new economy. We call upon
> you not to let Canada be left behind.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Margaret Ann Armour, Chemistry, Order of Canada (University of
> Alberta)
> Tom Archibald, Chair of Mathematics (Simon Fraser University)
> Alejandro Adem, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Ali Arya, Information Technology (Carleton University)
> Peter Abrams, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (University of Toronto)
> Jim Arthur, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Marshall Agueh, Mathematics (University of Victoria)
> John Beamish, Chair, Physics (University of Alberta)
> Jason Barton, Medecine (University of British Columbia)
> Robert Benkoczi, Math and CS (University of Lethbridge)
> Edward Bierstone, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Xiaotao Bi, Chemical and Biological Engineering (University of
> British Columbia)
> Yaacov Ben-David, Biophysics (University of Toronto)
> Herman Brunner, Mathematics (Memorial University)
> Margaret Beattie, Mathematics (Mount Allison University)
> Peter Borwein, Mathematics (Simon Fraser University)
> Anne Bourlioux, Mathematics (Universite de Montreal)
> Hans U. Boden, Chair, Math and Statistics (McMaster University)
> David Brydges, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Martin Barlow, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Michael Bennett, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Kai Behrendt, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Mark Bauer (University of Calgary)
> Vijay Bhargava, Electrical Engineering (University of British
> Columbia)
> Hichem Ben-El-Mechaiekh,Chair, Mathematics (Brock University)
> Sydney Bulman-Fleming, Chair, Mathematics (Wilfred Laurier University)
> Sandra Barr, Acting Head, Earth and Environmental Science (Acadia
> University)
> W. Kendal Bushe, Mechanical Engineering (University of British
> Columbia)
> Sherryl Bisgrove, Biological Sciences (Simon Fraser University)
> Mary Berbee, Botany, (University of British Columbia)
> Jeff Babb, Chair, Mathematics and Statistics (University of Winnipeg)
> Charlyn Black, Health Services and Policy Research (University of
> British Columbia)
> Maxim R. Burke, Chair, Mathematics and Statistics (University of PEI)
> Susan Baldwin (University of British Columbia)
> Chris Bose, Mathematics (University of Victoria)
> Patrick Brosnan, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Michelle Boue (Trent University)
> Fred Bunnell Forest Sciences (University of British Columbia)
> John Bowman, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Walter Craig, Mathematics (McMaster University)
> John Carter, Applied Science and Engineering (University of Toronto)
> James R. Cordy, School of Computing, Queen's University
> Rustum Choksi, Mathematics (Simon Fraser University)
> Dan Coombs, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Clifton Cunningham, Mathematics (University of Calgary)
> Mohamed Cheriet, Engineering (École de technologie supérieure,
> Montreal)
> Marilyn Chapman (University of British Columbia)
> Eric Cytrynbaum, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Jingyi Chen, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> K. Carriere Cough, Statistics, (University of Alberta)
> Richard Craster, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Vladimir Chernousov, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> James Colliander, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Christina C. Christara, Computer Science (University of Toronto)
> John Clague, Earth Sciences (Simon Fraser University)
> Laura Cowen, Mathematics (University of Victoria)
> Paul Deguire directeur, mathématiques et de statistique
> (Université de Moncton)
> Karl Dilcher, Chair, Math. and Stats. (Dalhousie)
> Lawrence M. Dill (Simon Fraser University)
> Martin Davy, Mechanical Engineering (University of British Columbia)
> Henri Darmon, Mathematics (McGill University)
> Rob DeWreede, Botany (University of British Columbia)
> Gregory Dudek, Chair, Computer Science (McGill University)
> Carl J. Douglas, Botany (University of British Columbia)
> Dan Dumont, Director, Molecular and Cellular Biology (University of
> Toronto)
> Guy Dumont (Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of
> British Columbia)
> David Dunlop, Physics (University of Toronto)
> Juergen Dingel (School of Computing, Queen's)
> Mauricio Drelichman, Economics (University of British Columbia)
> Ivar Ekeland, Math Economics (University of British Columbia)
> George Elliott, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Kadriye Ercikan, Education (University of British Columbia)
> Yousry Elsabrouty (The University of Calgary)
> Yousry A. El-Kassaby, Forestry (The University of British Columbia)
> Neil Emery, Director, Environmental & Life Sciences (Trent University)
> Robert Evans, Economics, Order of Canada (University of British
> Columbia)
> Roderick Edwards (University of Victoria)
> Ian Frigaard, Math and Mech. Engineering (University of British
> Columbia)
> Don Fraser, Statistics (University of Toronto)
> Sylvia Fuller, Sociology (University of British Columbia)
> Richard Froese, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Don Fisher (University of British Columbia)
> Eugene Fiume, Computer Science (University of Toronto)
> James J. Feng, Chemical & Biological Engineering (University of
> British Columbia)
> John Friedlander, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Jorge Filmus, Molecular and Cellular Biology (University of Toronto)
> Nassif Ghoussoub, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Randy Goebel, Computing Science (University of Alberta)
> Dan Gibson, Earth Sciences (Simon Fraser University)
> Andrew Granville, Mathematics (Universite de Montreal)
> Pengfei Guan, Mathematics (McGill University)
> Sunny Gupta (Queen's University)
> Ling Guan, Electrical Engineering (Ryerson)
> Sean Graham, Botany (University of British Columbia)
> Dmitri Goussev (Gusev), Chair, Chemistry (Wilfrid Laurier University)
> Stephen Gustafson, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Terry Gannon, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Dana Grecov, Mechanical Engineering (University of British Columbia)
> Veronique Godin, Mathematics (University of Calgary)
> J. Scott Goble, Education (University of British Columbia)
> Maria E. Gallego, Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University
> Charles Gale, Chair, Physics (McGill University)
> Ed Grant, Head,Chemistry (University of British Columbia)
> Ian Graham, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Jacques Hurtubise, Chair, Mathematics & Statistics (McGill
> University)
> Hedley David, Medecine (University of Toronto)
> Viqar Husain, Chair, Mathematics (U.New Brunswick)
> Stephen B. Heard Chair, Biology (University of New Brunswick,
> Fredericton)
> François Huard, Head, Mathematics (Bishop's University)
> Steven Heine, Department of Psychology (University of British
> Columbia)
> Nicola J Hodges, School of Human Kinetics (University of British
> Columbia)
> Felix Herrmann, Earth and Ocean Science (University of British
> Columbia)
> Dr. Holger Hintelmann, Chair, Department of Chemistry (Trent
> University)
> Craig Heinke, Physics (University of Alberta)
> Shahadat Hossain, (Math and CS, U of Lethbridge)
> Anita Hubley, Education (The University of British Columbia)
> Alexander Holroyd, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Yoram Halevy, Economics (University of British Columbia)
> Reinhard Illner, Mathematics (University of Victoria)
> John Innes, Forestry (University of British Columbia)
> Victor Ivrii, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Andrew Irvine (University of British Columbia)
> Slim Ibrahim (University of Victoria)
> Sebastian Jaimungal, Statistics (University of Toronto)
> Lisa Jeffrey, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Daniel James, Physics (University of Toronto)
> Robert Jerrard, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Ramesh Krishnamurti: School of Computing Science, SFU.
> Rachel Kuske, Head, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Young-June Kim, Physics (University of Toronto)
> Young-Heon Kim, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Niky Kamran, Mathematics (McGill University)
> Kalpdrum Passi, Chair, Mathematics & Computer Science (Laurentian
> University)
> Boualem Khouider, Mathematics ( University of Victoria)
> Kalle Karu, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Maria Klawe, Computer Science (President of Harvey Mudd)
> Patrick Keeling, Botany, (University of British Columbia)
> Jennifer Klenz, Botany, (University of British Columbia)
> Leslie R. Kerr, Biology/Psychology (Trent University)
> Faqir Khanna, Physics (University of Alberta)
> David Kaminski (Math and CS, U of Lethbridge)
> Don Krug, Education (University of British Columbia)
> Raymond Kapral, Chemistry (University of Toronto)
> Anthony Lau, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Robert K. Logan, Physics (University of Toronto)
> Michael Lamoureux, Mathematics (University of Calgary)
> Yue Xian Li, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Victor Leung, Electrical Engineering (University of British Columbia)
> Victor G. LeBlanc, Directeur, Chair, Mathematics (University of
> Ottawa)
> Wenyuan Liao (University of Calgary)
> Mark Lewis, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> James Lewis, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Anthony Lau (University of British Columbia)
> Aaron Levin (University of Alberta)
> Alexander Litvak, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Paul Lasko, Chair, Biology (McGill University)
> Sheldon Lin, Statistics (University of Toronto)
> Hoi-Kwong Lo, Electrical and Computer Engineering (University of
> Toronto)
> Wendy Lou, Biostatistics (University of Toronto)
> Ben Liang, Electrical and Computer Engineering (University of Toronto)
> Bill Langford, Mathematics (Guelph University)
> Marcelo Laca (University of Victoria)
> Alan Mackworth, Computer Science (University of British Columbia)
> Bojan Mohar, Mathematics (Simon Fraser University)
> John Meech, Mining Engineering and Director of CERM3 (University of
> British Columbia)
> Richard G. Miller, Biophysics and Immunology (University of Toronto)
> Greg Martin, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Robert McCann, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Andre Marziali, Director, Engineering Physics (University of
> British Columbia)
> Franklin Mendivil (Acadia University)
> Akos Magyar, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Brian Marcus, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Barrie McCullough (University of British Columbia, Okanagan)
> Robert Moody, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Orson Moritz, Ophthalmology (University of British Columbia)
> Patrick Martone, Botany, (University of British Columbia)
> Peter Minev, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Amy Metcalfe, Education (University of British Columbia)
> Jim Mattsson (Simon Fraser University)
> Bill Milsom, Head, Zoology (University of British Columbia)
> Eckhard Meinrenken, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Sharon Morsink, Physics (University of Alberta)
> Bonny Norton, Education (University of British Columbia)
> Asish Mukhopadhyay: School of Computer Science, University of Windsor
> Raymond Ng, Computer sc. (University of British Columbia)
> Adrian Nachman, Electrical and Computer Engineering (University of
> Toronto)
> Carl Ollivier-Gooch, P.Eng. (University of British Columbia)
> Fergal O'Hagan (Trent University)
> Peter Ottensmeyer, Medical Biophysics (University of Toronto)
> Don Page, Physics (University of Alberta)
> Anthony Peirce, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Ed Perkins, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Marion Porath (University of British Columbia)
> Roger Pierre, Directeur, Mathematiques et de statistique
> (Universite Laval)
> Cindy Prescott, Forestry (University of British Columbia)
> Arturo Pianzola, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Royann Petrell (University of British Columbia)
> Peter Pivovarov (University of Alberta)
> Daniel D. Pratt, Education (University of British Columbia)
> Erich Poppitz, Physics (University of Toronto)
> Ue-Li Pen, Astrophysics (University of Toronto)
> Toniann Pitassi, Computer Science (University of Toronto)
> Ian Putnam, Mathematics (University of Victoria)
> Jeremy Quastel, Mathematics and Statistics (University of Toronto)
> Christiane Rousseau (Universite de Montreal)
> David J. Rowe, Physics (University of Toronto)
> Daya Ram Gaur: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science,
> University of Lethbridge.
> Andrew Rechnitzer, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Dr. Jacqueline Rice (Math and CS, U of Lethbridge)
> Cristian Rios, Mathematics (University of Calgary)
> Catharine Rankin, Psychology (University of British Columbia)
> Chris Radford, Head Mathematics and Statistics (Memorial University)
> Loren Rieseberg, Botany (University of British Columbia)
> Dale Rolfsen, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Wendy Roth (University of British Columbia)
> Reinhard Jetter, Botany (University of British Columbia)
> Volker Runde, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Omar Rivasplata (University of Alberta)
> Peter C. Ruben, Director Kinesiology (Simon Fraser University)
> Steven Rogak, Mech. Eng. (University of British Columbia)
> Jeffrey Rosenthal, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Jonathan Rose, Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering
> (University of Toronto)
> Nancy Reid, Statistics (University of Toronto)
> Joe Repka, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> William Reed, Mathematics (University of Victoria)
> Gordon Slade, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Stephen Strother, Medical Biophysics (University of Toronto)
> Gordon Semenoff, Physics (University of British Columbia)
> Mohamad Sawan, Engineering (Polytechnique, University of Montreal)
> Viena Stastna (University of Calgary)
> Fred Sack, Head of Botany (University of British Columbia)
> Paul Stephenson, Head, Mathematics and Statistics (Acadia University)
> Raj Srinivasan, Chair, Mathematics (University of Saskatchewan)
> Brian Seymour, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Anne Scholefield, Education (University of British Columbia)
> Jedrzej Sniatycki, Mathematics (University of Calgary)
> K D Srivastava, Engineering (University of British Columbia)
> Philip Stamp, Physics (University of British Columbia)
> Dominik Schoetzau, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Paul L. Smith, Head, Earth and Ocean Sciences (University of
> British Columbia)
> Sudarshan Sehgal, Mathematics (University of Alberta)
> Catherine Sulem, Mathematics (University of Toronto)
> Theodore Shepherd, Physics (University of Toronto)
> Rashid Sumaila, Fisheries (University of British Columbia)
> Vuk Stambolic, Medical Biophysics (University of Toronto)
> Nicole Tomczak-Jaegermann (University of Alberta)
> Peter Tiidus, Acting Dean, Science (Wilfrid Laurier University)
> Phillippe Tortell, Botany, (University of British Columbia)
> John R. Topic (Trent University)
> Samy Torbey (Queen's University)
> Allison Tom (University of British Columbia)
> Elisabeth Tillier, Genomics (University of Toronto)
> Tai-Peng Tsai, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Derek J. Thorkelson, Chair, Earth Sciences (Simon Fraser University)
> Mak Trifkovic (University of Victoria)
> Bill Unruh, Physics (University of British Columbia)
> Jennifer A. Vadeboncoeur, Education (University of British Columbia)
> Stephanie van Willigenburg, , Mathematics (University of British
> Columbia)
> Andrew Vreugdenhil, Director, Materials Science (Trent University)
> Frank Weichman, Physics (University of Alberta)
> Rabab Ward, Electrical Engineering (University of British Columbia)
> Brent Ward, Earth Sciences (Simon Fraser University)
> Michael Ward, Mathematics (University of British Columbia)
> Jason Waywitka (University of Alberta)
> Doug Wiens (University of Alberta)
> Eric Woolgar, Physics (University of Alberta)
> Tony Ware, Mathematics (University of Calgary)
> Janet F. Werker, Psychology (University of British Columbia)
> Shelly Wismath (Board of Governors' Chair in Teaching, Math and CS,
> U of Lethbridge)
> Shoshana Wodak, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics (University of
> Toronto)
> Margaret Wyeth (University of Victoria)
> Glyn Williams-Jones, Earth Sciences (Simon Fraser University)
> Konrad Walus, Electrical and Computer Engineering (University of
> British Columbia)
> Reem Yassawi, Head, Math (Trent University)
> Vlad Yaskin (university of Alberta)
> Janet Ye, Mathematics (University of Victoria)
> Nora Znotinas, Chair, Physics & Computer Science (Wilfrid Laurier
> University)
> Richard Zemel, Computer Science (University of Toronto)
> Julie Zhou, Mathematics (University of Victoria)
>
>
> Cher Premier Ministre, Cher chef de l'opposition
>
> Le président des États-Unis Barack Obama a profité de la crise
> financière
> actuelle pour aiguiller son pays dans de nouvelles voies en
> augmentant de façon
> significative son financement de la recherche scientifique et de
> l'éducation, afin
> de relancer l'innovation dans un contexte économique nouveau.
> L'étendue de sa vision est formidable, y compris l'augmentation de
> plus de $15
> milliards pour la recherche scientifique, et la promesse de doubler
> le budget
> consacré à l'éducation dans les 10 prochaines années. Voir la
> page web de
> Nancy Pelosi:
>
> http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=62
>
> Notre gouvernement a formulé son propre plan pour tenter de
> stimuler la
> recherche et tout le secteur universitaire au Canada. Au coeur de
> ce plan est un
> fonds de $2 milliards destiné aux institutions d'enseignement post-
> secondaire
> pour des projets prêts à la mise en chantier, un fonds qui avait
> été réclamé par
> les présidents des universités. Il y a aussi un supplément de
> $750 millions pour
> la Fondation Canadienne pour l'Innovation (FCI), et $87.5 millions
> répartis sur
> trois ans pour des bourses doctorales.
>
> Alors que ces annonces de financement sont certainement les
> bienvenues, nous
> aimerions partager nos préoccupations en ce qui concerne l'effet
> potentiel de
> certaines de ces décisions, en particulier à la lumière de
> l'approche audacieuse
> et éclairée qu'a choisie l'administration Obama aux États-Unis.
>
> 1. Pendant que le gouvernement US propose d'augmenter le
> financement de la
> National Science Foundation (NSF) de 40% ($3 milliards en plus de
> son budget
> courant de $6.9 milliards), nous constatons que le "budget de
> stimulation
> économique" du Canada ampute de 5% le budget du CRSNG. Pendant
> que le
> gouvernement U.S. propose d'augmenter le financement du National
> Institute of
> Health (NIH) de 30% (soit $8.5 milliards en plus de son budget
> courant de $29
> milliards), notre "budget de stimulation économique" coupe le
> IRSC de 5%, tout
> en ignorant à toute fin pratique les besoins de Génôme Canada.
> Pendant qu'on
> invite les chercheurs scientifiques aux États-Unis à viser haut et
> loin dans leurs
> propositions pour utiliser ces nouveaux fonds, notamment pour
> recruter et retenir
> dans leurs équipes de recherche des chercheurs de calibre
> international, leurs
> collègues canadiens doivent s'atteler à la pénible tâche de
> gérer les coupures de
> budget dans leurs laboratoires, tout en se préoccupant de l'avenir
> de leurs
> étudiants aux cycles supérieurs.
>
> Les résultats récents (c'est-à-dire après l'annonce du budget de
> stimulation) des
> concours de subventions des trois grands conseils de la recherche
> du Canada
> pointent déjà vers des taux de succès plus faibles (par plus de
> 20% dans
> certaines disciplines), des fonds de démarrage réduits pour les
> jeunes
> chercheurs, et un financement négligeable pour les plus petites
> institutions et
> provinces. Ces coupures constituent un regrettable pas en arrière
> pour la science
> au Canada et nous demandons au gouvernement de se pencher
> immédiatement
> sur un plan couvrant plusieurs années qui augmente de façon
> significative
> l'investissement en recherche et développement par les trois
> grands conseils.
>
> 2. Le support aux infrastructures pour les institutions post-
> secondaires du
> Canada est sûrement une très bonne nouvelle vu le manque de fonds
> criant pour
> l'entretien de ces infrastructures. Cependant, le support fédéral
> requiert un
> cofinancement de 50% dont personne ne dispose en ce moment. L'effet
> net du
> principe de cofinancement sera de dicter les priorités aux
> universités et aux
> gouvernements provinciaux, trop impatients d'utiliser ces fonds
> fédéraux, et
> donc obligés de divertir à ces fins une partie des fonds
> normalement destinés à
> l'enseignement, à la formation et à la recherche. Nous demandons
> donc au
> gouvernement de retirer la clause de cofinancement.
>
>
> 3. La FCI a joué un rôle extraordinaire dans certains aspects du
> développement
> de l'infrastructure de recherche du Canada lors de ces 10
> dernières années.
> Cependant, les contraintes du programme ont empéché à toutes fins
> pratiques
> un nombre important de disciplines d'en bénéficier. De plus, des
> règles de
> cofinancement similaires à celles mentionnées ci-dessus continuent
> de
> s'appliquer aux projets FCI. Étant donné le manque présent de
> fonds disponibles
> du secteur privé et des gouvernements provinciaux, il y a même des
> projets qui
> avaient été approuvés qui sont maintenant reportés ou bien
> carrément annulés.
> Vu le contexte économique actuel, nous croyons que la suppression
> des clauses
> de cofinancement pour tous les projets FCI présents et futurs
> serait extrêmement
> bénéfique pour le Canada et pour son infrastructure de recherche.
>
> 4. Le financement de 500 bourses de doctorat supplémentaires est une
> excellente nouvelle pour un pays qui s'est engagé à disposer de
> "la main-
> d'oeuvre la mieux éduquée, la plus compétente et la plus
> flexible au monde".
> Cependant, il semble que l'argent pour ces bourses a été en fait
> obtenu au
> détriment des fonds pour la formation de personnel hautement
> qualifié, un
> personnel qui aurait pu être recruté de façon beaucoup plus
> efficace par nos
> chercheurs seniors en utilisant leurs fonds de recherche des trois
> grands
> conseils. Nous croyons qu'une stratégie plus fructueuse en terme
> de formation
> de personnel hautement qualitfié est de donner à nos meilleurs
> chercheurs la
> flexibilité de gérer la sélection, le recrutement et le support
> de leurs étudiants aux
> cycles supérieurs en utilisant à ces fins leurs fonds de recherche
> arbitrés par
> leurs pairs, et attribués suivant des procédures bien établies de
> cofinancement
> entre les universités et le secteur privé. Nous regrettons
> également que les $17.5
> millions que le SSHRC réserve pour les bourses aux cycles
> supérieurs aient été
> ciblés pour les étudiants en affaire et en finance. Comme l'a
> écrit Alain Dubuc
> dans la Presse:
> ``En boudant certains domaines de recherche, nos universités vont
> perdre leur
> pouvoir d'attraction. Et bien des jeunes talentueux iront ailleurs."
> (See http://www.cyberpresse.ca/opinions/chroniqueurs/alain-
> dubuc/200903/06/01-833827-apres-les-artistes-les-chercheurs.php )
>
> 5. Le président Obama propose de doubler le financement fédéral
> pour
> l'éducation lors des 10 prochaines années, et il s'est engagé
> à redonner à la
> science la place qui lui revient avec des milliards en nouveaux
> investissements.
> Pour conseiller son gouvernement, il a nommé des chercheurs du plus
> haut
> calibre comme membres de son cabinet ou à titre de conseillers (y
> compris la
> nomination d'un lauréat du prix Nobel en tant que Secrétaire à
> l'énergie).
> L'administration Obama a également impliqué les directeurs de la
> NIH et de la
> NSF dans les discussions du budget federal en ce qui concerne le
> futur de la
> recherche. Nous avons besoin d'une approche similaire au Canada,
> qui implique
> les meilleurs scientifiques et humanistes dans la formulation des
> nouvelles
> orientations pour le financement de la recherche.
>
> Nous réclamons du gouvernement de ne pas laisser le Canada à la
> traîne.
>
>
Christiane Rousseau, directrice
Centre de recherches mathématiques
Université de Montréal
C.P. 6128, succ. Centre-ville
Montréal, Qc
H3C 3J7
Tél: 514 343 7502
Fax: 514 343 2254
directrice at crm.umontreal.ca
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