Madam Chair and committee members, thank you for inviting me to be here today.
I'm joined by Paula Kirton, director general for investigator initiated research and official languages champion for CIHR.
As Canada's federal health research funding agency, CIHR is pleased to contribute to your study of the findings of the external advisory panel on the creation and dissemination of scientific information in French.
The advisory panel's report addresses an issue that is fundamental to the vitality, inclusiveness and excellence of Canada's research ecosystem. CIHR welcomes its findings and is grateful it had the opportunity to support the panel in carrying out its mandate.
Researchers who work in French make indispensable contributions to Canada's scientific enterprise and to our society. From coast to coast to coast, they push the frontiers of knowledge, drive innovation and train new generations of researchers and health professionals.
In health care settings, language can be a key determinant of access, quality, safety and equity. Research conducted in French helps strengthen health services by addressing the needs of francophone patients, including those who are members of official language minority communities.
This means achieving better health for all Canadians.
At CIHR, we recognize that supporting Canada's French-language research community requires meaningful action.
That is why we actively encourage researchers to apply for funding in the official language of their choice and ensure that applications submitted in French are assigned to qualified peer reviewers with the ability to assess them. We provide program materials, webinars and services in both official languages. We have also implemented various measures to support applicants and strengthen French-language peer review.
One of CIHR's most significant measures has been the rebalancing of funding outcomes for applications submitted in French under the project grant program. Since 2021, this measure has ensured that the proportion of French-language applications funded is at least equal to the proportion of applications submitted in French.
In 2024, CIHR also earmarked funding to continue building capacity for both francophone and official language minority community researchers and to support a new generation of researchers from the master's to the post-doctoral level.
CIHR is championing a modernized concept of research excellence that values quality and impact over traditional journal-based metrics.
This results in a more inclusive and responsible approach to research assessment.
Although progress is being made, we recognize that challenges remain. For instance, we know that researchers in English-language institutions may experience administrative barriers when applying for funding in French. We also know that limited opportunities exist to publish research in French.
CIHR is committed to promoting the vitality and substantive equality of Canada's official languages and to supporting scientific research in French.
Consistent with our obligations under the Official Languages Act, CIHR strives to foster a research environment in which both official language communities can fully participate.
We also know that Canada's research ecosystem is highly collaborative. Together with our partners in government and the research community, we will continue to strengthen the conditions that allow excellent research in French to thrive for the benefit of all Canadians.
Thank you very much.
I would be pleased to answer your questions.