Western Applauds Federal Budget

London - With the release of the federal budget yesterday, Western President Amit Chakma applauds the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister for the government’s continued commitment to research and innovation.

“We appreciate the strong signal the federal government continues to send that research and innovation are important to building Canada’s future, particularly in these challenging economic times,” says Chakma. “The funding commitments announced in yesterday’s budget will allow our researchers to compete with the best in the world and help to create jobs, allowing all Canadians to prosper.”

Specific measures of importance to universities in the budget include $32 million in funding for the three research granting councils, $8 million to fund the indirect costs of research, and $45 million over five years to create 140 postdoctoral fellowships.

“The post-doctoral fellowship funding is particularly welcome news,” says Chakma. “This will enable Western and other Canadian universities to recruit and retain top scholars, the talent Canada needs to successfully compete globally.”

Chakma also says this budget shows the federal government understands the important role universities must play in creating Canada’s new economy.