Thank you.
My name is Rob Baker. I'm the vice-president for research at McMaster University. I want to thank the committee for the opportunity to speak to you today about McMaster and our views on the country's productivity and competitiveness.
At McMaster, we put a lot of emphasis on integrating research and learning, helping our students develop the skills they will need to move into the workforce. The federal government's investment in research and education drives productivity by developing a talented workforce who discover innovations and address tomorrow's big challenges.
This year we have a real opportunity. The Minister of Science commissioned the fundamental science review, which highlights the critical role of scientific research in shaping a dynamic society and a competitive economy in Canada.
The fundamental science review recommended changes to funding programs, governance, coordination, and budgetary recommendations. It is quite simply a road map for research.
At McMaster, we support the review's recommendations for the further investment in the tri-councils, those being CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC. The review also recommends a stable annual budget for the Canada Foundation for Innovation so that we can continue to reap the benefits of our world-class research infrastructure, which enables us to attract world-class researchers and train tomorrow's innovators and helps us discover the solutions to tomorrow's challenges.
Lastly, the fundamental science review calls on the federal government to fund the full cost of research by increasing investments in the research support fund. We strongly support the science review's findings and recommendations and believe that they are a critical way to increase productivity and Canadian competitiveness.
At McMaster, our researchers find new solutions to Canada's big challenges. We have several areas of expertise that align with Canadian priorities, areas where we would encourage government investment. One example is our research on antimicrobial resistance. At the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, our researchers have helped position Canada as an international leader in drug-resistant infections. The institute has cutting-edge equipment and leading experts working on global solutions to the ongoing threat of these very dangerous microbes. Addressing this challenge will reduce health care burdens and costs.
Another significant research initiative at McMaster is our longitudinal cohort studies. The 2016 census showed that there are more Canadians over the age of 65 than under the age of 15 for the first time ever. This demographic shift will create new challenges that can be addressed only by understanding issues facing aging Canadians. Improving the quality of life and enabling Canadians to make positive, healthy choices are federal objectives that will directly impact Canada's productivity.
McMaster's longitudinal cohort studies study many large groups of participants over an extended period of time in order to determine the effects of various risk factors on healthy aging from birth to death. Due to their length, these longitudinal studies often face difficulties in securing consistent funding over the entirety of the study period. McMaster encourages you to consider alternative methods of providing long-term funding.
McMaster also leads in advanced manufacturing research, working with industry partners to develop more innovative solutions to industry problems. McMaster leads Canadian universities—all Canadian universities—in industry-sponsored research. Over the last five years, we have attracted over $588 million in corporate research money, which helps drive competitiveness in our region and the country.
We also leverage targeted government funding to attract international investment. One example of this is McMaster's biomedical engineering and advanced manufacturing project, supported by FedDev, other government partners, and Germany's Fraunhofer Institute.
Lastly, McMaster's nuclear reactor is in a critically important position with the upcoming closure of the reactor at Chalk River. Chalk River and the McMaster reactor supply Canadian and international researchers with neutrons for research in environment, energy, medical sciences, and nuclear physics. Our reactor is the only facility in the country able to absorb some, but not all, of this research demand. At McMaster, we are constantly working to improve neutron access for Canadian research and building national and international partnerships to ensure this critical research continues. Without access, we will lose industries, business, and our competitive basis in this most critical area.
I want to thank the committee for the invitation to speak to you today and I look forward to any questions you may have.