Opinion: Reinvest in research, for Canada and Nova Scotia – The Chronicle Herald

September 14, 2017

What do we want for our communities, our province and our country?

A sustainable environment, better health, economic growth and a culturally rich and just society — these are issues that not only dominate the headlines but also impact the lives of all Nova Scotians and Canadians.

Less well recognized is just how vital university-based research is to those issues and to the lives of Nova Scotians. And how the future of this research is at risk.

Earlier this year, Canada’s Fundamental Science Review, better known as the Naylor report, showed that Canada’s investment in R&D relative to our GDP has been declining over the past 15 years, such that we no longer rank among the top 30 nations. Released in April, the report’s recommendations risk being sidelined as other issues like small-business tax changes dominate media and federal budget discussions this fall.