Cheryl Gallant, MP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, welcomed the response from our Conservative Government to protect the integrity of Canadian researchers. In response recently to a question from MP Gallant, Federal Science and Technology Minister Gary Goodyear confirmed that recipients of Federal research grants must waive the right not to be named in order to be eligible for taxpayer enabled funding.
“As a Member of Parliament with a major research facility, Chalk River Laboratories, in my Riding, I share the concern of all credible, professional academics, that academic dishonesty in publication, particularly when public funds are involved cannot be tolerated,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP. “While this represents a very slim percentage of all research supported by the Federal Government in Canada, the reputation of all Canadian researchers is worth this effort.”
For the latest fiscal year 2010-11, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funded 14,139 researchers/trainees with close to a billion dollars for such diverse health topics such as Dementia treatment to evaluating the safety and effectiveness of new drugs after clinical trials.
Hansard, November 17, 2011.
Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Conservative): Mr. Speaker, our government has invested more in science and technology than any other Canadian government in history. We are pleased that Canada leads the G7 for our support of higher education, research and development. The reputation of our government is unmatched.
Can the Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) please update the House on what our government is doing to ensure that Canada’s research reputation is protected?
Hon. Gary Goodyear (Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario), Conservative): Mr. Speaker, I can certainly do that. I am happy to announce today that our government is taking an important step to further protect Canada’s reputation as a world leader in research and development.
Effective today, all research funding applicants through the NSERC, SSHRC or the CIHR will be asked to waive the right not to be named if they commit a serious breach of agency policy.
While misconduct in research is very rare, it is important to make sure the integrity of Canadian research and Canadian researchers is protected and we are doing just that.