OTTAWA, September 24, 2020 – Yesterday, Canada’s Governor General delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the second session of the 43rd Parliament and chart the Government of Canada’s path forward, a little over nine months after this minority government’s first Speech. Research Canada welcomes the federal government’s ambitious plan that hinges on an understanding of the integral nature of science to Canada’s health and economic prosperity.
“The federal government’s recognition of the vital role that Canada’s researchers, scientists, health care workers and private sector partners have played and will continue to play is a welcome promise to the health research and health innovation communities in Canada,” says Dr. Rosie Goldstein, Chair of Research Canada’s Board of Directors. “Yesterday’s Speech clearly indicated that the Government is taking its cue from science when determining the best course of action in response to the pandemic.” This includes relying on the expert advice of scientists and researchers when it comes to getting the best vaccines to Canadians and better understanding the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations.
The pandemic has brought to light the vital need for a resilient and flexible health care system. To help achieve this, the federal government also committed to expanding capacity for virtual health care delivery, addressing the ongoing opioid crisis, and ramping up efforts to implement a national, universal pharmacare program that will ensure that Canadians have access to the medicines that they need, including patients with rare diseases.
“Research Canada also welcomes the federal government’s commitments to invest in support for some of Canada’s most vulnerable people, including Indigenous peoples, black and racialized Canadians, seniors living in long-term care facilities, low income families, women and mothers,” says Ms. Deborah Gordon-El-Bihbety, President and CEO of Research Canada. “We know that addressing the systemic barriers and injustices faced by these communities and advancing equity, diversity and inclusivity in our institutions are crucial to building a knowledge economy and health system that represents and serves all of the people of Canada.”
The federal government is expected to deliver an update to Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan that will outline the Government’s economic and fiscal position and set out new measures to implement yesterday’s Throne Speech.
Research Canada looks forward to continuing its work with the Government of Canada to strengthen Canada’s knowledge economy through a robust health research endeavor and health innovation ecosystem.
About Research Canada
Research Canada is a national alliance dedicated to increasing investments in health research through collaborative advocacy and engaging government, academia, industry and non-profit sectors to build support for long-term health research funding. For more information, visit rc-rc.ca.
For inquiries:
Ms. Christie Tomkins
Manager of Policy and Public Affairs
ctomkins@rc-rc.ca