It’s time for Canada to be the global research leader of tomorrow

With COP27 recently wrapped up, our planet’s temperatures continue to soar. In addition to the climate change crisis, humanity is facing many other serious, complex and intertwined issues: war, the rise in populist nationalism, food and water insecurity, and both the current and future pandemics. Despite this state of profound anxiety and unrest, there is a beacon of light for the future of our planet. Indeed, we have seen it shine bright during the pandemic: the power of science and global research collaboration. This is what led to the development of safe and effective COVID vaccines in world-record time and saved over 40 million lives in just two years. Canadian scientists were at the centre of the global effort to develop vaccines against COVID-19. Frank Graham developed the adenovirus vector technology behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine; Derrick Rossi co-founded Moderna, which developed the RNA vaccine technology; Pieter Cullis pioneered the development of lipid nanoparticles essential for both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna RNA vaccines; and the late Nobel Laureate Ralph M. Steinman identified dendritic cells, the key cells in our immune system that ‘present’ the spike protein gene product to other cells that then make antibodies against COVID-19. President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Stephen Toope. Photograph courtesy of Lysanne Larose/Wikimedia Commons There are many other areas of science in which Canada excels. We are world leaders in artificial intelligence (AI), stem cell biology, space exploration, and sustainable innovation to name but a few. Whether it is through development of the Canadarm, or revealing the socio-economic determinants of health, Canada has proven that when it comes to research excellence and mobilization, we punch above our weight. Take for example, our lead in AI. Canada was the first nation to have a national AI strategy, focused on building diverse and robust AI ecosystems including deep pools of talented individuals to drive responsible AI research, innovation and commercialization forward. Today, Canada ranks fifth in the world on the Global AI Index, ranking nations on their level of AI investment, innovation and implementation. What’s more, tech talent is growing faster in the Greater Toronto Area and Calgary than in major tech centres in the U.S. LinkedIn’s Workforce Report for Canada revealed that Canada is outpacing the U.S. in tech workforce growth. President emeritus of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto Alan Bernstein. Handout Research allows us to see into the future and, indeed, shape it. As we look ahead, only a handful of countries are equipped to lead the charge. Through intentional and purposeful strategic policymaking brought to life with significant funding incentives, Canada can contribute greatly to the world’s collective efforts to address global crises by catalyzing the creation of international research networks. At the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), we can confidently vouch for Canada’s growing innovation ecosystem. CIFAR has been working with the Government of Canada to lead the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, and currently brings together scientists from over 20 countries to address high-risk, complex problems facing science and humanity. And, we have been doing this for more than 40 years. Climate change is an area in which Canada could play a leading role too, and where globally connected organizations like CIFAR can enable discovery and innovation. A problem as complex as climate change requires more than just the world coming together at COP27. Effective responses to complex global challenges require international and interdisciplinary research teams, sharing results in real time, collaborating, and identifying the key roadblocks and opportunities ahead. Canada is superbly positioned to promote global research collaboration. As a medium-sized country with a highly diverse population, coupled with the scientific bench strength, and track records of excellence in research and effective multilateral approaches to global issues, we have the attributes needed to be the connective tissue that brings the brightest minds together to solve big—indeed, existential—problems. For this to happen, we need alignment among our policymakers, scientific communities and business communities on the goals ahead. We must reaffirm our research leadership and support our great science at internationally competitive levels. It is time to signal to young people in our country and around the world that Canada is committed to harnessing research and global collaboration to address the great tests of our time. Stephen Toope is the president and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, and has previously served as vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, and also served as president and vice-chancellor at UBC. Alan Bernstein is president emeritus of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, a distinguished fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and a senior fellow at Massey College. He was the founding president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada’s federal agency for the support of health research. The Hill Times

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It’s time for Canada to be the global research leader of tomorrow

Canada has proven that when it comes to research excellence and mobilization, we punch above our weight.

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