Canada is home to highly trained and creative health researchers, and the Government of Canada is proud to support their important work.
On March 12, while touring the BC Cancer Research Centre on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, Joyce Murray, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra and Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, highlighted a recent federal investment in health research.
The $20 million awarded to UBC researchers is part of a $275 million national investment to support Canadian researchers studying the full spectrum of health issues affecting the lives of Canadians. This investment in health research supports our economy and creates high-quality middle-class jobs. Every $100 million invested in health research represents 1,800 jobs for researchers and trainees.
MP Murray met with grant recipients at the BC Cancer Research Centre to celebrate their achievements and to learn more about their research projects. A highlight of the event included a visit to the lab of Dr. Cathie Garnis, who is working on developing a blood test to screen patients for head and neck cancers.
Quotes
"Investments in health research are some of the most important that we can make as a nation. These federally funded projects hold the potential for scientific advancements, new treatments, and improved quality of life for Canadians living with a variety of health conditions, while creating high-quality middle-class jobs at hospitals and universities across the country."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health
"Health research has the power to help us tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing us as a society, and Canadians should be proud of the incredible work being done from coast to coast to coast. As a researcher myself, I can say that the work is rarely glamourous but it is always worthwhile, and I am excited to watch these CIHR-funded projects unfold."
Michael J. Strong, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
"Congratulations to the researchers from UBC and its affiliated institutions who are receiving funding today. You are doing truly world-class work that is making a difference in the lives of Vancouverites, and you continue to make your city, and your province, proud."
Joyce Murray
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra
Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government
Quick facts
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The projects funded through the $275M investment are supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)'s largest funding program.
- This program, called the Project Grant program, is designed to capture ideas with the greatest potential to advance health research and the health care system.
- It supports projects of varying sizes and duration through a highly competitive and rigorous review process.
- CIHR runs two Project Grant competitions per year.
- The results from the latest competition were released in January 2019, and the funding ($275M) will begin on April 1, 2019.
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Eighty-two of the grants from the latest competition were awarded to early career researchers (those within the first five years of their first academic appointment).
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Eleven of the grants funded are focused on Indigenous health research. CIHR is proud to support these projects as part of its commitment to invest 4.6% of its annual budget in Indigenous health research.
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