OTTAWA, September 17, 2009 — The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today welcomed findings reported by Statistics Canada that demonstrate the Government of Canada's leadership on research and development (R&D ) investments at institutions of higher education.
The national statistical agency announced recently that estimated spending on higher-education R&D was $10.2 billion in 2007–08, representing an increase of 5.8 percent over 2006–07. This increase positions Canada as number one in higher-education R&D (as a percentage of gross domestic product) in the G7.
In particular, Minister of State Goodyear pointed to estimates that showed the federal government's investment in higher-education R&D was $2.7 billion, up 9.4 percent from the previous year, making it the second-largest contributor to higher-education R&D in the country.
“Our government is investing in R&D because it creates the jobs of tomorrow, today; strengthens the economy; and improves the quality of life for Canadians,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “This is the highest level of spending by Canada's government on higher-education R&D in our nation's history.”
Higher-education institutions include universities, affiliated research hospitals, experimental stations and clinics.
“The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada welcomed the important increases in federal investments in the direct and institutional costs of university research announced in 2007 as part of the Government of Canada's Science and Technology Strategy,” said André Dulude , Vice-President, National Affairs, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
Higher-education institutions continued to be the largest contributors to their own R&D , spending an estimated $4.6 billion in current dollars in 2007–08, an increase of 3.1 percent over the previous year. This increase is consistent with the government's commitment to develop a leading-edge economy and implement actions, as set out under its strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage .
For further information (media only), please contact:
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-7599
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
