Duelling perspectives on science funding

Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, was in Waterloo, Ont. this morning to announce that the federal government had invested $50 million in the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. Here are the 'key messages' from the government's press release on the issue:

“This strategic investment will help make Canada a global leader in the field of quantum technology and attract some of the best and brightest researchers and students from Canada and around the world,” said Goodyear. “With this investment, the IQC will be better positioned to build on existing successes and contribute to Canada's global advantage by helping to create jobs, improve the quality of life for all Canadians and strengthen the economy for future generations.”

…As a part of its ongoing support for this strategy, the government has pledged over $2.2 billion in new S&T funding. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides more than $5.1 billion toward S&T initiatives. This measure will contribute to the creation of a stronger, more innovative economy and a more prosperous Canada.

Meanwhile in Montreal, Liberal Industry Critic Marc Garneau, the former astronaut and academic, issued a release criticizing the government for cutting the budget of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) which, in turn has cut the budget for the Mont Megantic Astronomical Observatory (which bills itself as the largest such facility in eastern North America) by $140,000 this year and $325,000 for subsequent years, according to Garneau. Here are the key messages for the Liberals:

The observatory may no longer be able to provide higher education opportunities to hundreds of high-level scientists as it has done for decades, Mr. Garneau added.

“The communities surrounding the observatory have demonstrated they care about this institution, mobilizing to create the International Dark Sky Reserve, a remarkable initiative,” added Mr Garneau. “Moreover, the observatory is an important tourist draw that welcomes many amateur astronomers every year.”

Mr. Garneau is asking the Harper government to reconsider what it is doing to the future of Canada’s scientific community.

“This is just one example of how this visionless government simply does not grasp how science, research and innovation are the foundations of a strong economy and the jobs of tomorrow. They have cut federal funding for research in universities and granting agencies, and Canada’s overall public-private investment in research has failed to keep pace with the world.

I also note this morning that my alma mater, the University of Guelph, has taken a full-page in the back of the front section of the Ottawa edition of The Globe and Mail to beg for money..