Evidence of meeting #103 for Science and Research in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was organization.
A video is available from Parliament.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
Yes, I think so, absolutely. A big part of the potential we see for capstone is, as Chad was alluding to, a single coordinating contact point. We see it benefiting researchers who now interact with the government through the three tri-councils.
I think, as you say, that there are also advantages to government in bringing together the knowledge that it is helping to produce through its research investments, and then making sure the country is benefiting to the greatest possible extent.
Liberal
Lloyd Longfield Liberal Guelph, ON
Thank you all.
Thank you, Chair, for the extra couple of seconds.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Valerie Bradford
Thank you. That's great.
MP Blanchette-Joncas, you have the floor for six minutes.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
We're delighted to be joined today by the witnesses for this important study.
My first questions are for Mr. Miller from Universities Canada.
How many universities in total does your organization represent in Canada?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
We represent 96 universities.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Roughly how many students attend the smallest university?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
I think that there are 200 or 300 students.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Okay.
You must know that the capstone research funding organization is nothing new. We've been talking about this proposal for a number of months, if not years.
In October 2022, the government gave itself this mandate. It launched the advisory panel on the federal research support system. Seven people with a great deal of expertise worked at large universities. We can name these universities. They're the Université de Montréal, the University of Toronto, McGill University, the University of British Columbia and the University of Saskatchewan. There was also the former executive director of U15, the group comprising the 15 largest universities in Canada.
Mr. Miller, I want to understand one thing.
Since you represent universities comprising 200 or 300 people, have you taken steps with the government to ensure that the number of members that you represent provides for a balanced and inclusive panel?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
I'll try to respond in French. However, I may have to say a few words in English.
I share your concern about the need to implement a process to reflect diversity in our institutions.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Mr. Miller, my question is the following.
Has Universities Canada approached the government to say that it represents 97 universities and that it would make sense for people from universities of all sizes to sit on the advisory panel on the federal research support system?
Have you taken any steps in this area?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
Are you talking about the panel headed by Mr. Bouchard?
Bloc
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
We told the government that our community wants to reflect the diversity that you just described.
We haven't debated staff decisions much. However, we brought to the table the concerns of small, medium‑sized and large institutions. We said that we needed a recommendation to support this whole community.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Mr. Miller, you represent 97 universities in Canada. Is that right?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
We represent 96 universities.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Okay.
You're the organization that brings together the most universities in Canada. Is that right?
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Okay.
I gather that you haven't spoken to the government or that the government hasn't spoken to you. Nothing has changed in the composition of the panel. Six out of seven people represent large universities. I understand that you may have spoken to the government. However, the government didn't listen to you. If it had, it would have done things differently.
I would like to understand your perspective.
Do you truly represent the values of equity, diversity and inclusion? Are these values embraced by your organization?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
Yes. Absolutely. Thank you for your question.
We embody these values—
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Okay. That answers my question.
In your opinion, do equity, diversity and inclusion apply only at the individual level, or also at the organizational level? I'm talking about small and medium‑sized universities, not just large universities.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
I want to say that we're committed to representing the diversity of our community.
Bloc
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC
Mr. Miller, some people have missed out. The 96 universities may have representation, but not everyone does. Again, I don't understand how Universities Canada…. I haven't seen you make a public announcement about this.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
The panel is currently studying an important issue. This issue is how to move forward. We must take steps to ensure a diverse membership and to support small institutions.
Bloc
President and Chief Executive Officer, Universities Canada
Please, let me just say—