"A Step in the Right Direction" Federal Support for Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Ottawa - The Humanities and Social Science Federation of Canada (HSSFC) applauds the Government's determination to increase its investment in all areas of research. "We are particularly pleased that the Government's vision for the new Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the most significant research initiative in the Budget, specifically recognizes that the social and ethical aspects of health care call for research done by scholars in the humanities and social sciences. Working with community groups and examining cultural practices allows humanists and social scientists to address many of the most important determinants of health," said Dr. Louise Forsyth, President of the HSSFC.

"The Federation worked hard to ensure that the CIHR would define "health" in the broadest possible terms," she added. "It is good to see that this initiative will allow the humanities and social sciences community to use its expertise to better serve Canadian society. We are well placed to provide insight into health issues particular to first nations citizens, into health risks associated with poverty, and into the meaning of health service delivery for Canadian women as patient and care-givers."

The government proposes to spend $65 million in 2000-1 and $175 million in 2001-2 on the CIHR as an independent entity.

While the CIHR proposal is being further developed, the Budget stipulates that $ 7.5 million per year for three years will be added to the SSHRC budget for health related research in the humanities and social sciences. This represents 15 per cent of the Government's overall investment in health research of $50 million per year for three years. "It is a wonderful way to integrate social and cultural determinants of health into medical research," commented Dr. Forsyth. "I encourage all researchers in the humanities and social sciences to think about how their scholarly work serves the health needs of Canadian society and how it might be supported through the CIHR."

In 1999-2000, SSHRC will receive a budget increase of $ 5 million per year for three years for research over and above that announced for health. While encouraging, this falls far short of redressing the historical under-funding of the humanities and social sciences. "In our knowledge based economy, it will be increasingly important to place government support for Canadian research in the humanities and social sciences on an equal footing with the natural and medical sciences," warned Dr. Forsyth. In recent years, SSHRC has only been able to fund 15 per cent of researchers and 5 per cent of graduate students, severely constraining the development of Canadian solutions to Canadian social problems and the endangering the vitality of Canadian cultural values.

Dr. Forsyth welcomed the increase in federal transfer payments to the provinces for health spending, but she noted that the Social Union Framework Agreement also specifically recognized a federal interest in post-secondary education. "Federal cutbacks have forced provinces to drastically reduce their support for post-secondary education," she said, "at a time when university enrollments are increasing." In the past five years, core support for universities was reduced by $1 billion or 23 per cent.

Next year, the HSSFC will be looking for the Government to redress SSHRC under-funding and increase transfers to the provinces for post-secondary education. "They have taken a step in the right direction," concluded Dr. Forsyth, "but there is much more to do to ensure a viable research community in Canada."

The Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada represents 68 learned societies and 69 universities. The Federation promotes teaching, research and scholarship in the humanities and social sciences and a better understanding of the importance of such work for Canada and the world.

Additional information on the Federation's activities and programmes is available on the Federation's website (http://www.hssfc.ca).

For more information please contact:

Mr. Garth Williams
Public Affairs Coordinator

Tel: 613-238-6112 ext. 306
Fax: 613-238-6114
Email: gwilliams@hssfc.ca