York University applauds Canada’s commitment to invest in research at post-secondary institutions

TORONTO, February 27, 2018 – York University President & Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton applauds the Government of Canada for its significant investment in research that will ensure Canada remains competitive and a leader in the global economy.

In presenting his 2018 federal budget, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau announced a nearly $4 billion boost over five years into Canada’s research system. The investments announced in the Budget will strengthen Canada’s capacity for ground-breaking discovery research, provide funding for equipment and tools to support research, help attract and retain talented people, and foster the culture of innovation that Canada needs to thrive in the globally competitive research environment.

“Today’s budget sends a strong message that the Canadian government recognizes the importance of investing in both applied and discovery-based research and strategic research infrastructure, enabling Canada’s universities to build on their strengths in advancing creativity, knowledge production and commercialization potential, and ensuring that Canadian expertise is at the global table, contributing solutions to the world’s most challenging problems and helping to drive the economy forward,” said Lenton.

The support for research delivered by the Government of Canada through the three federal granting councils (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR) is vital to the success of Canada’s researchers. York is pleased to see the government commit to investing $925 million over five years and a commitment for ongoing funding for all three granting councils. In addition, the budget includes a commitment to create a new tri-council fund to support international, interdisciplinary, fast-breaking and higher-risk research.

York is pleased with the government’s commitment to increased and sustained funding to support state-of-the-art infrastructure through the CFI, funding projects that fuel research by investing in research-specific facilities and equipment. This investment of $763 million over five years will help to realize the development of strategic research facilities, enabling universities to leverage matching funds from provincial governments, private-sector partners and other supporting contributions from non-profit sector organizations and private donors in the development of world-class research facilities and centres.

The budget also makes commitments that will increase diversity in research and help develop Canada’s next generation of research leaders. This commitment is in complete alignment with York University’s values and strategic priorities and we are pleased to see this commitment by the Federal Government.

Lastly, the government’s commitment to increase the Research Support Fund by investing $231.3 million over five years will provide York University with additional resources to cover indirect costs of research.

Quick Facts

• York University is Canada’s third-largest university with over 53,000 students.
• York’s 11 faculties and 24 research centres have partnerships with more than 288 universities worldwide.
• When measured by research impact, York’s programs in engineering, psychology, physics & astronomy, economics & finance, business management and accounting are ranked with the top 10 universities in Canada, and within the top 5 in Ontario.

York University is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. York U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media contact: Barbara Joy, 416-333-3374, barbjoy@yorku.ca