Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand here with the signatures of over 17,000 students, researchers, academics and concerned individuals, people from coast to coast and around the world.
The petitioners are protesting the budget in 2009 that notes a focus on only business-related research when it comes to new funding for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. While recognizing the importance of supporting all areas of research, they are concerned about the government's attack on the social sciences and humanities and fundamentally the attack on academic freedom.
Studies in the social sciences have helped build our country and improve the world in the areas of social justice, civic and economic empowerment and how we can improve our lives. At a time when the world is looking ahead and thinking outside of the box, the government is stunting our research community and turning it back.
These Canadians demand that the government listen, revert its decision and support the social sciences and humanities in Canada.