THE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES' COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Provincial Investments in Research Benefit our Economy and British Columbians

The research universities of BC enthusiastically support the Province's Budget 2022 investments in health and genomic research.  The $195 million in grant funding to GenomeBC and Michael Smith Health Research BC will contribute to improved healthcare outcomes for British Columbians and attract and retain world-leading healthcare researchers and practitioners, many of whom hold positions at BC's research universities and medical centres.  Investments in genomics will also drive innovation in sectors including agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture, increasing productivity and competitiveness and developing new life sciences companies which have emerged as world leaders.

The Province's investments in research will help grow BC's innovation economy and improve the quality of life of British Columbians.  In many cases, the research supported by these investments will lead to new approaches to treating disease and address other imperatives such as climate change, along with the creation of new BC companies and new jobs, ensuring students in our research universities have access to learning and research experience through partnerships across sectors.

Dr. Brett Fairbairn, President & Vice-Chancellor, Thompson Rivers University, and Chair of the Research Universities' Council of BC, "Provincial research funding allows BC to attract and unlock investment from a range of private and public sources. By investing in research, BC is helping to bring new sources of capital into the economy that support British Columbians and the communities in which they reside." 

Dr. Santa Ono, President & Vice-Chancellor, University of British Columbia, "Provincial government support of GenomeBC and Michael Smith Health Research BC helps drive leading-edge research and innovation here, in BC. These investments cascade- improving the day-to-day lives of British Columbians, accelerating research to address significant health and environmental challenges, while supporting new learning and career opportunities for students."

Dr. Joy Johnson, President & Vice-Chancellor, Simon Fraser University, "These provincial investments in research and knowledge translation have enabled BC to have an effective response to threats including COVID 19 and support a more diverse and representative network of medical and health researchers throughout BC." 

Dr. Kevin Hall, President & Vice-Chancellor, University of Victoria, "The application of genomics to important areas of the BC economy like agriculture will help with crop improvements and keep our industries strong and vibrant in the face of challenges like climate change."

Dr. Geoff Payne, Interim President & Interim Vice-Chancellor, University of British Columbia, "The investment in genomics can help BC researchers better understand how to combat significant threats to our forest sector and ecosystems such as bark beetles, which keep our communities safer and more resilient."

Quote from Dr. Philip Steenkamp, President & Vice-Chancellor, Royal Road University, "Funding from Michael Smith Health Research BC is supporting Royal Roads research on the complex cancer care needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer.  This has the potential to influence the provision of support to British Columbians." 

The Province's support for post-secondary training and research funding are the building blocks of a modern, strong and sustainable economy and equitable society.  Investing in people is an investment in BC's long-term health and success, one that will pay dividends across BC for decades to come.