Report calls for more coordination of Canada's national research infrastructure

OTTAWA · Canada is missing an opportunity to draw greater value from its national-scale research infrastructure, according to a new expert panel report. The report from the Council of Canadian Academies finds the country needs more coordinated planning to align these assets with national priorities. It states that while Canada has considerable strengths and has made investments across its research ecosystem, a lack of coordination hinders its global competitiveness. The panel was commissioned by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to examine how to enhance the country's research assets.

"National-scale research infrastructure is central to Canada's ability to address national priorities, participate in international collaborations, and remain globally competitive," said Janet King, chair of the expert panel. "An optimized system would help ensure these assets are collectively planned, governed, and evaluated in ways that reflect Canada’s strengths, priorities, and responsibilities." The report focuses on large-scale science facilities, digital platforms and collaborative networks that support research, innovation and societal well-being. The panel found that responsibilities are spread across loosely connected actors, with no clear coordination mechanism or role to align and advance Canada’s participation in international research collaborations. Many national-scale research infrastructure assets are institutionally owned and governed, despite a mission to advance national research priorities and serve pan-Canadian and international research communities. This fragmented approach limits the country's ability to respond to a rapidly changing global context.

"Canada's world-leading research facilities and infrastructure have long supported excellence in Canadian research," said Tijs Creutzberg, president and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies. "But the research landscape is changing quickly. This report shows how a coordinated approach can maximize impact, build long-term capacity, and position Canada to succeed in today’s knowledge-driven world." The report, titled "Enhancing Canada’s National-Scale Research Infrastructure," examines how to optimize these assets to support current and future needs. The Council of Canadian Academies is an independent not-for-profit organization that conducts expert assessments on public policy topics.

With files from The Globe and Mail