Dr. Pierre Meulien, President and CEO of Genome Canada welcomed last week’s federal Budget announcement of $165 million in new funding for genomics research.
“This commitment signals that the federal government recognizes the value of genomics research to Canada and to Canadians and its resolve to encourage and support the long-term growth of Canada’s bio-economy,” said Dr. Meulien. “The new funding will build on Genome Canada’s past achievements to date and support our multiyear strategic plan.
Genome Canada is unique among Canadian research funding organizations in that it supports large-scale research and development projects in the life sciences, and develops the technologies that enable Canadians to maintain leadership in key areas of the genome sciences.
The research that Genome Canada supports is having transformative impacts across sectors of economic interest to Canada , including human health, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, the environment, energy and mining. Genome Canada also plays a leadership role in international consortia that are advancing the development of new medicines, ensuring food safety and helping to combat invasive species.
To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $1 billion in genomics research, which Genome Canada, in partnership with six regional Genome Centres, has doubled through leveraging co-funding from partners including provinces, industry, national and international funding organizations, and Canadian institutions.
“Genomics is a transformative technology that will play a key role in addressing the most pressing challenges facing society in the 21st century. This critical funding commitment will enable Genome Canada to build and improve ways of translating discoveries into new applications that lead to economic and social benefits as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Meulien.
