• a predictable annual increase that will keep pace with inflation and global benchmarks; and
• the development of equitable, inclusive and accessible research systems, cultures and practices in order to engage and empower Canada’s diverse population.

Dear _______,

On behalf of [YOUR ORGANIZATION], I would like to express my grave concerns about the state of health research funding in Canada and urge the federal government to act now and reinvest in both research and people in Budget 2024 by immediately doubling research funding to the Tri-Agency.

Research in Canada is in trouble. We must act now to save it. Canada’s health research and innovation ecosystem has faced two decades of stagnating investment, leaving it woefully underfunded. Previous federal investments, including Budget 2018’s historic investment of nearly $4 billion, have since plateaued and been erased by the effects of inflation. As a result, our ability to generate innovative health solutions, respond to future health emergencies, retain a robust science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce and remain globally competitive is being hindered. This is jeopardizing Canada’s status as an innovation nation.

Investments in health research is critical to Canada’s future. These investments are critical to achieving many of the federal government’s long-term ambitions, particularly as they relate to Canada’s economic growth, global competitiveness and industrial policy. Significant investments in Canada’s innovative life sciences and biomanufacturing industry have been made in recent years, but the success of these investments depends on the research talent that is cultivated by a vibrant research enterprise. Without immediate and significant investment in research, we will not have the necessary talent, nor the novel discoveries and innovations they produce. The investments we make in this industry today will be investments in a failed industry tomorrow.

We recognize the difficult fiscal situation facing the Government of Canada and Canadians writ large and understand the tough choices that need to be made. We also believe that this is precisely the time when we must be ambitious, advancing and investing in a bold, forward-thinking vision for Canadian health research and innovation.

Canada’s research and innovation ecosystem is falling behind. For the past two decades, Canada has been squandering the world-leading talent and great potential in R&D that we do have. This is hindering our global competitiveness and risking our economy and Canadians’ health. Canada is the only nation in the G7 whose R&D spending as a percentage of GDP shrank over the past two decades, with all but France having increased their spending by at least 15%. Canada’s spending, on the other hand, has decreased by 16.5% over this same period. Closer to home, Canada spends just 16% of what the U.S. spends per capita on health research, a gap that will only widen further with the rollout of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 over the next decade.

Reinvestments in research are first and foremost investments in people. Canada’s underfunding of research means we are also failing to provide emerging research talent with a living wage, resulting in the loss of one in four STEM graduates to other countries that are able to provide better financial supports for research and researchers. This problem is only compounded for researchers from Indigenous, Black and other underrepresented and marginalized communities who typically face additional social, economic and structural barriers and challenges.

Reinvestment in health research is urgently needed to develop and retain diverse, world-class talent and a strong, highly skilled STEM workforce. It is vital to promoting health security and to attracting foreign direct investment that will lead to new health innovations and a globally competitive economy.

The opportunity for Canada is now. Only an ambitious approach will establish Canada as a globally competitive innovation nation, fulfill the potential of the Government’s industrial and economic policies, strengthen Canada’s health security in the face of serious global health threats, and allow Canadians to benefit from the economic prosperity, societal resilience and health impact that a thriving health research and innovation ecosystem can uniquely deliver.

Research in Canada is in trouble. We must act now to save it.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR TITLE]
[YOUR ORGANIZATION]

Dear _________,

As a constituent in your riding, I am writing to you to express my grave concerns about the state of health research in Canada.

Research in Canada is in trouble. We must act now to save it. Canada’s health research system has been chronically underfunded for the past two decades. As a result, the research ecosystem in this country is in serious trouble. Canada’s spending on R&D is well behind our global peers, and that gap only continues to widen as other countries steadily increase their investments each year. This has dire consequences not only for our ecosystem’s ability to produce world-leading health research and health innovations, but also for our ability to attract, train and retain the world’s best and brightest young researchers.

As a [patient/researcher/graduate student/caregiver/citizen/community member], I know that health research is absolutely vital to the development of new and innovative treatments, diagnostics and technologies and the improvement of health care delivery that I, my family and my community deserves and needs. [Tell a personal story that illustrates what research means to you. Are you a patient who has benefitted from a clinical trial? Are you a researcher who relies on federal funding to make ground-breaking new health discoveries and advancements?]

Research in Canada is in trouble, but a bold, forward-thinking vision for Canadian health research and innovation can help save it. That is why I ask you, as both a constituent and [patient/researcher/graduate student/caregiver/citizen/community member], to ensure that Budget 2024 reinvests in research and people by immediately doubling research funding to Canada’s granting agencies.

To learn more about Canada’s health research and innovation ecosystem and the concerns I share with my fellow Canadians about its future, please visit [link to RC webpage with facts, statistics, link to FINA submission, etc.].

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]