Debates of May 2nd, 2013

Science and technology

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry]

Mr. Speaker, this government has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to science and technology. Guided by Canada's federal science and technology strategy, mobilizing science and technology to Canada's advantage, the federal government has introduced sustained investments to strengthen Canada's position in the world as a leading supporter of research.

Since 2006, the federal government has invested more than $9 billion in funding for science, technology and the growth of innovative businesses. These investments have helped to support world-class Canadian research and help us achieve key social goals, such as improving public health, building a strong and vibrant economy and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

Back in 2011, Mr. Tom Jenkins led an expert panel to review federal support to R and D to improve contributions to innovation and economic opportunities for business. This panel recommended a new approach to supporting innovation in Canada, including the pursuit of initiatives that focused resources on better meeting private sector needs.

To support this approach, economic action plan 2013 will provide $121 million over two years for the strategic orientation of National Research Council Canada to help innovative enterprises grow in Canada.

As we know, NRCC was established in 1916 to support research and the development of commercial innovation. It has made an important contribution to the Canadian economy by supporting the development of innovations such as the cardiac pacemaker and computer-assisted animation technology, which have generated high-value-added jobs.

To improve Canada's economic performance, the NRC is working together with other players in Canada's innovation system, including academia, and the public and private sectors. As an organization linking these sectors together to advance commercialization, the NRC is adapting to business research needs by concentrating on active, business-driven, industry-relevant research.

The government continues to take action in line with the panel's recommendations. Economic action plan 2013 proposes to provide $20 million over three years for a new pilot program to be delivered through NRC's industrial research assistance program. This would enable hundreds of small- and medium-sized enterprises to commercialize their products or services more quickly and effectively by providing them with credit notes to help pay for research, technology and business development services at universities, colleges and other non-profit research institutions of their choice.

Also, to help enhance innovation hubs that foster entrepreneurial talent and ideas, economic action plan 2013 proposes $60 million over five years to help outstanding, high-potential incubator and accelerator organizations in Canada expand their services to entrepreneurs and a further $100 million through the Business Development Bank of Canada to invest in firms graduating from business accelerators.

This builds upon previous investments through budget 2012 to double R and D support to small- and medium-sized companies through IRAP. Some $67 million was provided in 2012-13 to support the NRC in refocusing its efforts toward business-driven, industry-relevant applied research that would help Canadian businesses develop innovative products and services.

In fact, another $1.1 billion over five years was announced in economic action plan 2012 for direct research and development support.

Taken together, federal expenditures on science and technology are projected to reach nearly $11 billion in 2012-13.

[Laurin Liu, NDP, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Mr. Speaker, to reach their figure of $9 billion, they have shown a great deal of creativity.

It is nonsense, and the government is taking Canadians for fools. The Conservative government may well brag about having invested more money in science than any other government, but the facts say otherwise.

The most recent report from Statistics Canada confirms that last year, the Conservative government applied a 6% cut to funding for science and technology, and laid off 1,500 employees involved in scientific and technological activity.

Returning to the question of fundamental research, I will remind the Conservatives that the Jenkins report recommended that NRCC institutes doing fundamental research become affiliated with one or more universities.

However, with persistent cuts in fundamental research capacity everywhere in Canada, it is difficult to find concrete evidence that the government is making provision for fundamental research.

Our government should be investing for the long term, but unfortunately it lacks vision.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this government has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to science and technology. We are proud of the work of scientists at the NRC and in other departments and have made important investments to support their research. These investments have helped to attract and retain talent, support excellence in science, bring discoveries and innovation to the marketplace, and build science and technology infrastructure.

I will quickly point to just a few of our recent successes.

Last fall, the National Research Council of Canada flew the world's first civilian jet powered by 100% biofuel.

Last year, Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics, TRIUMF, played a role in supporting the discovery the Higgs boson subatomic particle.

More recently, astronaut Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian ever to take command of the International Space Station.

To improve Canada's economic performance, the NRC has been provided with $121 million, over two years, to support its transformation to focus on business-driven, industry-relevant research.

To conclude, the government is extremely proud of the world-class work that our scientists and researchers do. They help us achieve key goals, such as improving public health, ensuring safety of foods and products, building strong and vibrant economies across the nation and ensuring a clean and healthy environment.

[The Deputy Speaker, NDP, Joe Comartin]

The motion to adjourn the House is now deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7:19 p.m.)