That is an excellent question. Actually, the Government of Canada has always had research centres. The National Research Council has always been an incredible ambassador for Canadian research. However, over the years, we have seen the potentially useful proliferation of national research councils. But, since grants for basic research were becoming increasingly harder to find, the government had to choose between NSREC, CIHR and other organizations such as CRH, in addition to supporting research conducted in universities.
It is unfortunate that some research councils in Canada had to close. Over one hundred very experienced scientists are going to lose their jobs. However, in Canadian universities, more and more very promising young researchers are sorely lacking grants and, as a result, are not able to conduct high-level research and compete on the international stage.
Yes, it is unfortunate for the National Research Council, but university researchers on the ground agree that it was necessary to streamline the National Research Council. However, if that is done at the expense of all basic research, I don’t think that we will gain anything from that in Canada.