Conservative cuts threaten Canadian science and research

NDP report details repercussions to major research facilities

The consequences of the Conservative cuts to Canadian science and research are outlined in a report released today by the NDP. The study focuses on the elimination of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Major Resources Support (MRS) Program.

“This report provides a front-line perspective into how Conservative cuts are continuing to devastate basic research capacity in Canada,” said NDP Critic for Science & Technology Kennedy Stewart (Burnaby–Douglas). “The decision to eliminate the MRS program was made without any consultation and represents how our country’s long-standing commitment to basic science is being undermined by the Conservatives.”

Prompted by the overwhelming number of letters of concern from the scientific community, the report provides aggregated details on the programs affected by MRS cuts and will force at least eight major national facilities to close, or be put at extreme risk for closure. These eight facilities collectively require $1.3 million in funding to remain operational but represent over $81 million in total capital investment.

“Over the past spring and summer, scientists across the country have been expressing their frustration and disbelief at Conservative government changes,” said, Laurin Liu (Rivière-des-Mille-Îles) deputy critic for Science & Technology. “This report provides solid data on facilities at risk, and demonstrates how any cost savings from this cut can never compensate for the long-term losses being inflicted upon our scientific community.”

The Major Resources Support Program Moratorium Impact Report is available at http://kennedystewart.ndp.ca/download/3787/mrs_program_moratorium_impact_report.pdf