The federal government is investing more than $175-million into Canadian genomics research to strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in the field, accelerate commercialization of technologies and improve the country’s data sovereignty.
The funding, to be distributed over seven years, will establish the Canadian Genomics Strategy, which was originally announced in the government’s 2021 budget.
The investment will be made through Genome Canada, a federally funded non-profit organization with six regional branches across the country. Working across multiple sectors, such as agriculture and health, the research body addresses issues related to the genetic information of organisms. For example, genomics can help clean up oil spills using microbes or contribute to finding new cures for diseases such as cancer.
Yasir Naqvi, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Health and member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, announced the funding Thursday at the Canadian Genomics Summit in Ottawa.
“We are building something extraordinary. A future where Canadian innovation leads the world and where science meets real world challenges,” he said.
Since Genome Canada’s founding in 2000, Ottawa has invested around $1.6-billion into genomics research through the organization. That, plus $2.4-billion in additional funding from provincial governments and other sources, creates a $4-billion base for the new strategy to build upon, Mr. Naqvi said.
Over the past 25 years, that funding has led to the creation of 131 spinoff companies, supported 15,000 researchers and generated 531 patents, licences and inventions.
Rob Annan, president and chief executive officer of Genome Canada, said the speed at which technology is advancing, generally, makes this an exciting time for genomics.
“A convergence of a variety of factors mean that genomics has the potential to not just address these problems but to really turn them into huge opportunities,” Dr. Annan said at the announcement.
Thursday’s announcement means Canada now has national strategies for AI, quantum science and genomics. These strategies will make the building blocks of the country’s economy more competitive, Dr. Annan said, whether it’s by using biomass from the forestry sector to create alternative fuels or replacing harsh chemicals in mining with engineered microbes to improve sustainability and efficiency.
“Yes, there are some cool genomics companies, but the real value to Canada is when all of our companies start incorporating this new biotech into their existing processes,” Dr. Annan said.
It’s a particularly relevant time to be bolstering Canadian research and data sovereignty, he added, as scientists in the U.S., who Canada has relied upon in the past to share data with, face efforts from President Donald Trump to freeze research funding.
Mr. Naqvi said these challenges present an opportunity for Canada to be more aggressive in attracting new companies and young talent looking to set up a lab or study in.
The distribution of the funding will be front-loaded, Dr. Annan said, with most of it to be dished out in the first four years to help launch research initiatives or commercialize new technologies.
While Mr. Naqvi said he’s concerned the funding could be cut if the Conservative Party of Canada, which is currently leading in projected polls, win this year’s federal election, Dr. Annan said he’s confident Canada’s new leader will continue to support Genome Canada.
“The work that we’re doing is geared towards increasing productivity, economic performance, the development of Canadian IP, and is really important to regions right across the country,” Dr. Annan said.