Budget 2009 Highlights and Challenges

February 2, 2009

Dear Colleagues:

As many of you may have noticed, the recent federal budget is not at all supportive of basic research in Canada. While there is some considerable investment in science and technology there is no extra support projected for basic research.  In fact there is a cut in the budget of tri-council funding (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC).  The budget states that these cuts are strategic savings to be achieved by streamlining operations and aligning programs.

I have attached the budget highlights relevant to the Canadian Research Community, as it was compiled by Research Canada.

I urge you to send a letter to your member of parliament and other members of our Government.  I have attached a sample letter (modified from a similar letter that Research Canada has sent out).  Feel free to use this letter.  The contact info for your MP can be found here: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC


Many thanks
Hermann Ziltener Ph.D.
Professor
President, Canadian Society for Immunology

MP-Letter (word document)
MP-Letter (PDF format)

PS. Feel free to pass on this letter to your colleagues.