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The federal government's 2017 Budget - Building a Strong Middle Class - was released yesterday afternoon, the second for Finance Minister Bill Morneau. Click here to view the Budget site and various details.
 We have compiled a list of the highlights from this year's budget that are relevant to agricultural research and innovation.
Highlights:
- Establishment of a Chief Science Advisor (CSA) positionand a related secretariat with a budget of $2 million. The intent is to provide advice on how to ensure that government science is open to the public, that federal scientists are able speak freely about their work and that science is effectively communicated across government. The CSA will be responsible to provide advice to the Prime Minister and Minister of Science and will act primarily in an advisory and coordinating capacity.
- Governmentto develop a new federal Science Infrastructure Strategy. This will include a review of existing investments in federal science infrastructure, including federal laboratories and testing facilities. The government will review all business innovation programs throughout the government, including programs led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
- Review of the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive program.
- $80million on a cash basis over 5 years starting 2017-2018 to replace the Sidney Centre for Plant Health (Sidney, BC).
- $200million over four years to Natural Resources Canada, AAFC and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to support clean technology research and the development, demonstration and adoption of clean technology. Eligible recipients will include industry, academia, federal laboratories and other research organizations.
- Investmentsof $70 million over six years starting in 2017-2018 to further support agricultural discovery science and innovation with a focus on addressing emerging priorities such as climate change and soil and water conservation.
- Fundingto AAFC to support the expanded adoption of clean technology by Canadian agricultural producers.
Additionally:
- Findingsof the independent review of federal investments in and funding for fundamental science research will soon be made public.
AIC Conference 2017
Don't forget! The AIC 2017 Conference is happening April 24-26th in Winnipeg. With a theme of "Agricultural Innovation in a Changing Environment", the conference will foster important conversations about the role of agriculture plays in influencing future decisions on climate change in Canada. You can still register by clicking here.
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