Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Pari Johnston, president and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada, as of month three. I started in early December and I'm very pleased to be here.
I'm here to talk about how we can improve the impact of college research through investment at scale and a reimagined approach.
There are three unique aspects to college research. Research questions are determined by external partners, predominantly small Canadian businesses and non-profits, with practical implications in local enterprise. The research is conducted and applied efficiently. About 80% of all projects are complete in under a year, and any IP generated remains with the local partner, ensuring the research results flow to the Canadian economy, maximizing innovation and productivity gains.
I want to make three points today. First, colleges are driving massive research impacts in communities across Canada. However, we could be doing so much more if Canada stepped up and funded colleges like equal research partners.
Let's look at the facts. Colleges provide extensive research expertise to local entrepreneurs and social innovators, with over 8,100 projects in 2021-22. We integrate students within applied research. We had over 27,000 that same year, and they've helped create over 2,400 prototypes, over 1,800 new products, over 1,000 new process improvements and over 900 new service offerings for businesses and community organizations. When you invest in college research, you get tangible impact.
But here's the kicker. All of this was supported with just 2.9% of tri-council funding or about $109 million across our entire college ecosystem in 2021.
My second point is that we need to reframe the role of colleges within the federal research and innovation ecosystem. Our sector has demonstrated expertise in driving impact, especially in translating research into innovation, but we do so much more than that. The sector is greatly under-supported by both federal and provincial governments. This must change.
I don't want to make make this an us versus them debate between colleges and universities. Both are critical partners in the research ecosystem, but we need different areas of expertise around the table to drive impact.
Colleges need more than a force fit into a university-oriented approach where colleges are also eligible.
We need to rethink federal research funding programs to make colleges full partners.
Eligibility requirements must appreciate institutional differences and take advantage of opportunities beyond the academic.
We need large-scale investment because, if we want to increase our impact and solve the major issues facing Canada, it's hard to imagine that 2.9% of federal research funding—funding spread across about 120 institutions—will allow colleges to fully contribute.
Colleges can play an even more significant role in challenge-driven research. We specialize in addressing problems and can help conquer major challenges in Canada. Think housing. Think labour productivity. Think climate adaptation. We encourage the Government of Canada, in collaboration with other levels of government, to embrace a challenge-driven research approach that gives full standing to colleges, to define and fund the policy challenges, and to let colleges, universities, businesses and non-profits collaborate on system-level solutions. For example, we'd be keen to participate in a research challenge fund for housing innovation. This would make a real and tangible impact on one of the biggest issues facing Canadians.
The college research ecosystem is poised to make substantial contributions to the entire research community in Canada. Given what I've shared with you today, I encourage the committee to launch a study on the barriers to an expanded college role in research and the benefits a redefined and expanded role could accrue to Canada.
Canada's college research system is unique in the world. It is a true competitive advantage for our country, if adequately funded and integrated as a full partner in the broader research enterprise.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear. I'd be happy to answer questions.