The National Research Council (NRC) has completed its transformation into business-friendly research and technology institution, the federal government announced today.
“The refocused NRC will provide Canadian industries with access to strategic research and development, technical services and specialized scientific infrastructure they need to succeed,” said Gary Goodyear, minister of science and technology.
Organizations that represent Canadian scientists are decrying the move, saying it has thrown the balance between pure and applied science off-kilter.
“The signal being sent today is that the government misunderstands how science and innovation happens,” David Robinson, a spokesperson for the Canadian Association of University Teachers, told Business in Vancouver.
“All the major discoveries that we take for granted today stem from basic research, non-applied research.”
Robinson noted that many NRC innovations, such as the pacemaker, were developed by scientists doing basic research.
The reorganization, which has been happening since March 2012, stems from a 2011 study completed for the federal government. That report suggested transforming the NRC into a collection of collaborative research and development centres that would work with industry, universities and the provinces.
The federal government hopes the change will help Canadian businesses innovate and compete globally.
