The budget on Tuesday was not a good one for Canadian Science.  The Conservative government has followed its past policy of not supporting Canadian Science.  They renewed the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and supported University infrastructure.  However, the Foundation for Innovation and Infrastructure do not support laboratory operations.  Without this money, science activity withers and fewer students get trained.

For the North, it was a special disaster.  The International Polar Year is winding up.  Most northern researchers are looking at 80-90% reduction in operating funds in the 2010/11 polar year.  Yet, there is nothing in the budget to address this. Without funds available in 2009 to support 10/11 activity, we can count on 2010/11 being a dismal year for Northern research.

The commitment to build a northern research station is welcome but once again, what use is infrastructure if there are no funds to use it.  The Conservatives transferred money to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for northern reseach but INAC’s mandate is not innovation and much of northern research is not directly linked to INAC’s mandate.

The Conservative budget is even more disappointing because of its missed human resource opportunity.  As has been pointed out to them, there are a wide range of peer-reviewed research projects that were not funded because of a lack of funds.  These projects have been vetted by the Tri-Councils and peers.  These projects all had the goal of training Canadians in the knowledge economy.  If funds had been provided in this budget, Science activity could have exploded in 2009 providing 1000’s of training positions for laid off knowledge workers.  This would have provided Canada with a cohort of highly trained individuals who would be ready to re-enter the economy in 2011.

Instead, we will have empty buildings and our best and brightest will once again be leaving for Obama land.