Science and Research Committee on June 4th, 2024

[Dr. Warwick Vincent]

It's critical to bring together these components. Dr. Burgess referred to how we have certain elements of leadership; but they are elements, in being disconnected or components. Other witnesses have referred to some of the strengths we have in Canada, but we don't see the totality of that strength, and we don't see the totality of those resources. By bringing it together in a strategy, we show to ourselves what we have, and we also show to the rest of the world what we have.

[The Chair, Liberal, Valerie Bradford]

Now, for the final questions, we'll turn to MP Cannings for two and a half minutes, please.

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Thank you.

I'm going to turn back to Dr. Murray just to bring up the subject of infrastructure of research stations. Again, you've mentioned that there are a number of research stations across the Arctic, run by quite a number of organizations, in various stages of repair and disrepair. As you say, we need a plan. We need a strategy to make sure that our Arctic research is going in the right direction and will continue into the future.

Just to put you on the spot, if you were writing that plan today and had to make a comment about what the federal government's role in research station infrastructure might be, is there a role that the government should be playing in, perhaps, building and maintaining research stations across the Arctic?

[Dr. Maribeth Murray]

Yes, I think there is a role for the federal government. I became responsible for the Kluane Lake Research Station 10 years ago, and at that time the funding that used to exist through the NSERC program for operation and maintenance of research infrastructures went away. Facilities that are not operated by federal, provincial or territorial organizations have a very difficult time acquiring resources to support maintenance, daily operations and upgrading of equipment. CFI is one pathway, but in the community of those of us who have these responsibilities, we have discussed the need for some kind of a national program to support the research infrastructures the network as a whole could look to in order to maintain that.

I see no other place for that other than coming from the federal government. The universities are challenged, as everybody knows, to maintain facilities that are often quite far removed. The northern organizations are also fiscally challenged. I think in the context of a national plan for research, there has to be that section that talks about roles and responsibilities and the cost benefit of supporting new and existing structures. I'm not sure if that entirely answers your question, but I don't see how it can be done without federal support and engagement.

[The Chair, Liberal, Valerie Bradford]

That's the end of our time.

Again, I would like to thank our witnesses, Dr. Susan Kutz, Dr. Warwick Vincent and Dr. Maribeth Murray, for their testimonies and participation in our committee study of science and research in Canada's Arctic in relation to climate change.

If you have any additional comments or things that you would like to submit to the committee, you may do so to the clerk. Check with the clerk if you have any questions.

Is it the will of the committee to adjourn the meeting?

[An hon. member]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Valerie Bradford]

The meeting is adjourned. Thank you very much.