Nov. 29, 2016
Dear Minister McKenna and Minister Bains
As Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) at Carleton University, we applaud the efforts made on the research and infrastructure front across Canada. We were also pleased to see the implementation of the Strategic Innovation Fund. Our own University was successful in its application for funding, which likely will have long-term positive effects. This said, we would like to bring to your attention that the speed at which these project must be completed is creating unintended negative consequences that significantly impact research investments that were in progress for some time now. Specifically, because of the nature of our long-term developmental studies, and introduction of confounds when these studies are interrupted, the consequences to these imposed deadlines will undermine the ability of faculty in Carleton’s Neuroscience department and that of our students to function at all during the relocation to a temporary space.
You have already invested considerably in building our CRC research program, so that we are strong contributors to Canada’s mental health research. In a department of 11 faculty members, 4 of us are current or previous CRCs, which speaks to the research strength of this department. Without going into detail, our research covers issues such as the impact of pesticides on Parkinson’s disease, the development of new treatments for chronic pain, suicide risk in First Nations people, stress effects on depression, co-morbidities that exist between psychological and immunological disorders, ways to diminish the current obesity epidemic, and better understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders. All of these projects, as well as others, are funded through Tri-council and other federal and provincial grants to the tune of several million dollars per year and involve more than 90 graduate and undergraduate students whose theses projects are now all in jeopardy.
Our university has invested in a new health science building scheduled to open between September and late December 2017. Unfortunately, the university funding through the strategic innovation fund requires that the building we are currently in be renovated and expanded by April 2018 to make room for future occupants. As a result, the university is requiring us to vacate our current home by approximately March 1. We will then be required to move yet again 6-8 months later when the new health sciences building is completed. This will have multiple negative ramifications. Ultra-sensitive equipment could potentially be damaged and after a move, recalibration of this equipment requires many weeks or months. Furthermore, biohazards and controlled goods need to be considered in these moves. Additionally, although a suitable vivarium has been found for our animals, the very unique strains of mice that have been bred at Carleton will be at risk for health problems, given that any move of these delicate animals compromises their immune system, rendering them vulnerable to illness. As far as we know, the space for actual wet lab research has not been arranged even though this comprises more than 66% of our work. Finally, the future of graduate and undergraduate students will be jeopardized despite the implicit contract that these students will be able to complete theses in a timely fashion. For undergraduate students this is critical as it may influence their ability to enter graduate school or medical school.
Our reason for writing is not to simply complain about the impending problems, but rather to provide a very simple solution. As much as the funding program has been exceptional, there needs to be flexibility within it. Having to meet an April 2018 deadline for our university comes at a heavy cost to investments that have already been made into our current research program and the training of next generation researchers and physicians. We implore you to reconsider these deadlines. Even a 6-month extension would make all the difference for researchers and students within this department.
Sincerely,
Hymie Anisman (past CRC)
Shawn Hayley (past CRC)
Natalina Salmaso (current CRC)
Hongyu Sun (pending CRC)