The following is a brief analysis of science-related highlights from the proposed 2015 Federal Budget. Throughout the year, CAP will continue to monitor government policy that could affect physics in Canada.
The full budget can be found at http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/docs/plan/toc-tdm-eng.html in English and http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/docs/plan/toc-tdm-fra.html in French.
Dr. Kris Poduska
Director of Science Policy
Canadian Association of Physicists
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Proposed 2015 federal budget eliminates deficit and suggests future increases for science
The proposed 2015 federal budget projects a small surplus, and it relies on a portion of the government’s contingency fund to do this. Many of the proposed initiatives related to increased science spending will begin only after the current fiscal year. Nevertheless, the budget summary highlights “Investing in Advanced Research” quite prominently. It also provides increased spending in areas that CAP had targeted as priorities in our pre-budget consultation submission (https://cap.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/cap_2015_hocfc_prebudget_consultation_submission_final-1.pdf).
There is immediate (2015-2016) funding for several large-scale science initiatives, including TRIUMF, CANARIE (Canada’s high-speed research and education computing network), the Thirty Meter Telescope, and Canada’s participation in the International Space Station. As well, there is immediate funding for government research agencies including the Chalk River Laboratories, and the National Research Council. Furthermore, the Government appears poised to renew the Canada Foundation for Innovation program, with $1.33 billion starting in 2017-2018.
There is also funding announced to improve smaller-scale research and training, though with an industrially focused undertone, and none to start before 2016-2017. This includes $46 million per year to the granting councils in areas that will “fuel economic growth and respond to important challenges and opportunities.” MITACS money will support graduate-level and internship opportunities for industrial research training.
Key budget items that will impact physics research
● $45 million additional funding in 2015-2020 for TRIUMF
● $72.3 million from 2015-16 for operations of AECL Chalk River Laboratories
● $105 million from 2015-16 for CANARIE
● $46 million per year starting 2016-17 to granting councils ($15 million to NSERC) for areas of economic growth, challenges and opportunities
● $56.4 million from 2016-2020 for MITACS graduate internship program
● $1.33 billion from 2017-2022 for CFI
● up to $243.5 million over 10 years for the Thirty Meter Telescope project
Details from the full 2015 budget proposal
available in full at http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/docs/plan/toc-tdm-eng.html
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) [Chapter 3.1. pp. 95-98].
“This investment will strengthen Canada’s capacity for highly competitive research and technology development by supporting advanced research equipment and facilities, including digital research infrastructure; industry-relevant research infrastructure at colleges through the College-Industry Innovation Fund; and the ongoing operations and maintenance needs of national research facilities. This additional funding underscores the Government’s continued commitment to investing in research excellence in Canada.” $100 million of the CFI money is earmarked for digital infrastructure.
The wording and timing of the CFI money (2016-17) strongly suggests that the government is getting ready to renew the CFI Major Science Initiatives fund (which runs out in 2017). We know that the CFI Major Science Initiatives fund supports the operating costs of four major facilities: Canadian Light Source, Ocean Networks Canada, SNOLAB, and Compute Canada (http://www.innovation.ca/en/AboutUs/News/GovernmentCanadainvestsinmajorsciencefacilities), as well as some smaller facilities: Canadian Research Icebreaker Amundsen, the Advanced Laser Light Source, and the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (http://www.innovation.ca/en/AboutUs/News/MinisterHolderannouncessignificantinvestmentinninenationalresearchfacilities). This injection of funds in 2016-17 is critical to the continued operation of these facilities and for other large facilities in need of operating funds.
Granting Councils [Chapter 3.1, pp. 100-101]
The $46M for the Granting Councils includes: “$15 million per year to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, of which $10 million per year is directed to collaborations between companies and researchers from universities and colleges under the new consolidated suite of similar business innovation programs (as described below in the section entitled ‘Strengthening the Delivery of Business Innovation Programs’). This new funding will target research areas such as natural resources and energy, advanced manufacturing, and environment and agriculture. The balance of $5 million per year will be directed to industry-driven research initiatives at Canada’s polytechnics and colleges through the College and Community Innovation Program (see below). The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council will also continue to support collaborative research in the automotive, manufacturing, forest and fishing industries, further to the direction and resources provided in Budget 2008.”
The Thirty Meter Telescope [Chapter 3.1, pp. 102-103]
The $243.5 million over 10 years allotted to this project is not all new money. “A combined $100 million is proposed to be reallocated from the existing resources of the National Research Council, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions and Public Works and Government Services Canada.”
TRIUMF – “Investing in Canada’s Premier Strengths in Physics” [Chapter 3.1, p. 104]
“Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide an additional $45 million over five years, starting in 2015-16, to enable TRIUMF to continue to advance its world-leading research activities.” There is also an interesting statement: “The Government expects TRIUMF’s research partners and end-users, including health care organizations and businesses, to also increase their contributions towards the continued success of the facility, in order to fully capture the scientific and economic opportunities arising from public investments to date.”
Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) [Chapter 3.1, p. 105]
Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide $15 million over five years, starting in 2015-16, to continue support for science-based assessments conducted by the Council of Canadian Academies.
Excerpts from the Government’s Budget in Brief document
available in full at http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/docs/bb/brief-bref-eng.html
For “Supporting World-Class Advanced Research” [Chapter 3.1, pp. 13-14]
● Providing an additional $1.33 billion over six years, starting in 2017-18, to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support advanced research infrastructure at universities, colleges and research hospitals.
● Creating a more efficient and effective national digital research infrastructure system by providing $105 million over five years, starting in 2015-16, to CANARIE, Canada’s world-class high-speed research and education network.
● Dedicating an additional $46 million per year to the granting councils, starting in 2016-17, focused in areas that will fuel economic growth and respond to important challenges and opportunities.
● Providing up to $243.5 million to secure Canada’s participation in the Thirty Meter Telescope and related domestic work on leading-edge components.
● Providing up to $72.3 million in 2015-16, on a cash basis, to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited to maintain safe and reliable operations at the Chalk River Laboratories.
● Providing an additional $30 million over four years, starting in 2016-17, to support cutting-edge research and technology development in Canada’s satellite communications sector.
● Extending Canada’s participation in the International Space Station mission to 2024.
● Dedicating $119.2 million over two years, starting in 2015-16, to the National Research Council’s industry-partnered research and development activities, helping Canadian businesses increase their competitiveness and develop new, cutting-edge products.
● Helping to develop the next generation of research and development leaders by providing $56.4 million over four years, starting in 2016-17, to Mitacs in support of graduate-level industrial research and development internships.
For “Helping Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Create Jobs” [Chapter 3.2, p. 14]
● Increasing access to venture capital financing to help innovative, high-growth companies grow and create jobs.
● Providing $14 million over two years to Futurpreneur Canada in support of young entrepreneurs.
● Supporting the Action Plan for Women Entrepreneurs to help women business owners succeed.
For “Canada Student Loans” [Chapter 3.3, p. 15]
● Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide $119 million over four years, starting in 2016-17, to reduce the expected parental contribution under the Canada Student Loans Program Needs Assessment Process.
● Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to provide $116 million over four years, starting in 2016-17, to eliminate in-study student income from the Canada Student Loans Program Needs Assessment Process.
For “Responsible Resource Development” [Chapter 3.5. pp. 18-19]
● Providing $22 million over five years, starting in 2015-16, to Natural Resources Canada to renew the Targeted Geoscience Initiative.
● Dedicating $23 million over five years, starting in 2015-16, from Natural Resources Canada to stimulate the technological innovation needed to separate and develop rare earth elements and chromite
For “Assisting International Communities” [Chapter 4.2, p. 22]
● $22.8 million in 2016-17 for Grand Challenges Canada to continue its promising work towards solving global health challenges through innovation.