Mr. Chair and members of the committee, economic growth is often framed as a series of options: resource sector or manufacturing, college or university, basic or applied research. These are false choices. There is no single formula for prosperity. Society is too complex, the components of our success are too interlinked.
An economy prospers when the citizens can imagine and seize opportunities to create a better world. As president of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, I represent over 85,000 students and researchers. Their work helps us to understand issues that concern us all, including harassment, safety and immigration.
Their research nurtures companies, leads the digital revolution, and fosters innovation in all sectors.
Despite what you've heard, employment for social sciences and humanities graduates does not remain low. Yes, they take slightly longer to settle into a career than engineers or nursing students, but their income trajectories remain very healthy. Indeed, eight of the eleven fastest growing occupations in Canada overwhelmingly employ graduates with social science and humanities degrees.
This is why Chinese universities recently visited Canada for advice on liberal education. They want their graduates to succeed in the knowledge economy and to be more versatile and capable of moving among different careers.
This adaptability requires analytical and communication skills paired with a international awareness stemming from a broad education enriched by research.
Significantly, the “State of Science and Technology in Canada, 2012” report confirmed that we are a powerful force in the global research community and not just in medicine. Canada is in the top four for historical studies, psychology, and visual and performing arts, and an emerging leader in digital media. This success wouldn't be possible without continued direct federal investment in research.
We also need institutions like Statistics Canada and Library and Archives Canada to collect evidence to inform policies, answer questions and form a basis for future discoveries.
A strong research infrastructure is not just nice to have in a digital and globalized world, it is essential. We know that if we stand still, we will rapidly fall behind.
Let me turn to three specific measures that will strengthen Canada's advantage in a globally connected knowledge ecosystem.
First, increase funding for the three granting agencies and CFI. We encourage the government to achieve a more balanced tri-council portfolio by allocating a future share of greater increases to SSHRC, as this government did in Budget 2011.
Because innovation is at its core a complex human process, social sciences and humanities research is essential to improving our national performance.
Second, invest in the next generation of Canadian professionals and leaders through a subprogram of scholarships as well as training.
This includes opportunities abroad, as recommended by the recent panel on Canada's international education strategy. We must build on the good work going on at home that's leading to job creation. Programs like Mitacs and Connect Canada, traditionally industrial research internships, now want to engage students in the humanities and social sciences.
Finally, building on Budget 2012 investments and Jenkins' recommendations, invest in cross-sector collaborations between academic institutions, governments, communities, and not for profits.
We're delivering on previous commitments in this area and reducing barriers to collaboration.
For example, IMMERSe, a program funded by SSHRC, which Minister Goodyear announced at our annual congress, supports collaboration between the universities and industry partners to better understand the social and economic realities of digital gaming and entertainment.
As the Governor General has said, connections between communities and campuses will help us “ensure that social innovation is a key component of Canada’s innovation landscape”.
Mr. Chair, you asked five important questions on a range of issues. Our three specific measures will deliver on all of these for the benefit of Canada and Canadians.
Thank you.