I would ask you to consider issuing your own news release and sending a personal letter to the Prime Minister in order to signal your support for this new initiative and, in particular, to describe the importance this initiative will have for your own institution. Success in the 21st century economy requires a strong focus on research excellence and the formation of new ideas. The highly skilled researchers who generate, adopt and apply new ideas are increasingly critical to Canada's commitment to develop a productive, knowledge-based economy and society. Innovation, putting these ideas to new use, is key to a successful transition to the 21st century economy. During the last three years, the federal government has developed a plan to facilitate this transition.
Canadian universities play a key role in the innovation agenda.
They are also critical to transferring new knowledge for commercialisation. But, over the next decade, a generation of highly-skilled university researchers will retire. Their replacements are much in demand around the world and it is imperative that we keep the best and brighest in Canada. Without a decisive response, a shortfall in the number of active researchers will become a threat to our innovation system and through it to our productivity, growth, competitiveness and quality of life. The new program builds upon and expands the successful research chairs programs sponsored over the past 15 years, in partnership with industry, by the three federal granting councils and embraced by universities.