Yes. It's a really important issue.
I'm struggling to find graduate students from Canada interested in doing the research that I have excellent funding for. A lot of my students are international students, but I'm wondering where all the Canadians are. Meanwhile, we have empty positions that need to be filled by these young people. That's a challenge.
I was awarded a synergy award from NSERC, and there were some passionate discussions about the importance of implementing increased funding for the research that's much needed. I think the funding also serves to encourage youth to join the professions that are currently undersupported. I think of the University of Guelph as an example, and at Waterloo we have underpopulated undergraduate programs in water resources.
Our youth aren't going into these professions right now.