Canada launches billion dollar plan to recruit top researchers
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Canada's Industry Minister Melanie Joly. Photo by Andrej Ivanov /GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFPArticle contentMontreal (AFP) — Canada on Tuesday launched a $1.7 billion program to recruit leading global researchers, part of the effort to poach intellectual talent looking to leave the United States because of U.S.
President Donald Trump‘s policies.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentTop Canadian institutions — including the country’s largest hospital network and the University of Toronto — have previously announced multimillion dollar strategies to recruit experts whose work has been impacted by Trump’s broad cuts to scientific research.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentArticle contentCanada’s federal government has now joined this effort, in what it called “one of the largest recruitment programs of its kind globally.”Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe plan is not strictly catered to U.S.-based researchers impacted by Trump.Article contentA statement from the ministries of industry and health says the goal is “to attract and support more than 1,000 leading international and expatriate researchers,” including French speakers.Article contentBut asked by AFP at a press conference on Tuesday if scientists alienated by the president would be targeted for recruitment, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said, “some countries are turning their backs on academic freedom. We won’t do that.”Article contentThe recruitment effort would be global, she said, but added: “We know that many people south of the border are raising their hands and are already showing interest. Our universities have already started having these conversations.”Article contentExperts have warned that Trump’s policies could trigger major shifts in the global competition to hire some of the world’s brightest minds, which for decades has been dominated by deep-pocketed U.S. universities backed by robust federal funding.Article contentArticle contentTrump’s funding cuts have impacted a range of research projects, and studies that involve climate change or diversity, equity and inclusion have been heavily affected.Article contentRead More Canada urges pension funds to invest at home Canada will fight for auto jobs despite U.S. threat Article contentThe European Union also made a push to draw US researchers, announcing an incentives package worth €500 million (US$582 million) earlier this year to make the 27-nation bloc “a magnet for researchers.”Article contentJoly said a priority would be to encourage leading Canadian researchers working abroad to return.Article content“I think that for a long time in Canada, we’ve talked about brain drain,” Joly said, voicing hope the country would now be able to “bring our people back home.”Article content© 2025 AFPArticle contentTrending This Canadian mine is as big as a city. It has a basketball court and its chefs serve 4,000 meals daily Commodities Posthaste: A market phenomenon not seen in 50 years is raising red flags at the world's central bank News David Rosenberg: 10 reasons why we're now bullish on the Canadian dollar for the first time in many years News Mark Wiseman top contender for ambassador to U.S. as Kirsten Hillman prepares to step down Finance Budget watchdog regrets calling Canada's fiscal position 'stupefying' Economy Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. This Canadian mine is as big as a city. It has a basketball court and its chefs serve 4,000 meals daily Commodities Posthaste: A market phenomenon not seen in 50 years is raising red flags at the world's central bank News David Rosenberg: 10 reasons why we're now bullish on the Canadian dollar for the first time in many years News Mark Wiseman top contender for ambassador to U.S. as Kirsten Hillman prepares to step down Finance Budget watchdog regrets calling Canada's fiscal position 'stupefying' Economy