Yesterday, Federation President and CEO Karine Morin appeared before the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR) to speak on its study of the mission, mandate, role, structure and financing of the new capstone research funding organization announced in Budget 2024.
As announced, the federal government proposes to restructure the federal research granting councils (SSHRC, NSERC, and CIHR) within the new capstone organization. The testimony heard by SRSR on the study will help inform the government’s response.
The appearance builds on the consultation on the new capstone funding organization that the Federation, with contributions from several of its members, submitted in July 2024. Read the submission.
Bringing forward insights gathered through that submission, Ms. Morin advocated for structures and funding levels that support the advancement of investigator-driven research and talent development in humanities and social sciences with the following three recommendations:
- To sustain federal investments and support for the humanities and social sciences, the new capstone, through its mission-driven research must acknowledge that many of the unresolved challenges we face are human-centred; therefore, research that can help bring forward solutions must be led by the humanities and social sciences.
- The capstone must embed support for Indigenous research and for equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. Continuous consultation and partnerships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis scholars and communities are vital.
- The capstone’s governance must be diverse, with representatives from across different sectors and disciplines, reflective of Canada’s own diversity. The granting councils remain best positioned to address the distinct disciplinary needs and strengths of Canada’s research communities, and the Capstone must build upon these foundations.
This appearance served as a significant moment to assert the critical necessity of the humanities and social sciences perspectives in the success of the new organization, in guiding research and its funding to improve the daily lives of Canadians.
You can watch the appearance via the link below. Ms. Morin's opening statement begins at 17:32:47.