In 1998, a voluntary alliance of universities, hospitals, research institutes, non-profit research funding agencies, private sector biotechnology companies and other research stakeholders came together to address an urgent issue affecting BC's health system.

BC's health research community was falling behind other Canadian provinces in the competition to bring home federal health research funds. With 13 per cent of the population, BC was taking home less than eight per cent of the available funding.

The costs of falling behind were significant and sobering. They included:

• BC's ability to recruit, train and retain health researchers and specialists deteriorated.
• Significant economic losses: Jobs, real and potential, in research organizations and biotechnology industries, were lost. There was also a loss of BC tax dollars going to other provinces - estimated at $50 million + every year - due to BC's inability to compete effectively for its per capita share of federal health research funds.

The Coalition for Health Research in British Columbia

BC's health research community rallied, forming the Coalition for Health Research in British Columbia. Chaired by Dr. Aubrey Tingle, a research leader at the University of British Columbia and Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, the coalition consulted widely in the health research community. They documented their recommendations in Building a BC Health Research Strategy – a vision and plan for restoring BC's competitiveness.

Building a BC Health Research Strategy (PDF)

The Funding

In 2001, the Government of British Columbia announced a $110 million grant to establish the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research as the vehicle for implementing the coalition's vision and plan. The Foundation was named to honour world renowned health scientist Dr. Michael Smith, BC's first Nobel Prize recipient.

In 2005, the provincial government endorsed MSFHR’s achievements, providing an additional $100 million to sustain and augment activities. In 2009, the BC government committed another $30 million to MSFHR.

Leadership

Dr. Aubrey Tingle served as MSFHR’s founding President and CEO from 2001 until his retirement in 2008. Dr. John Challis became President and CEO of the Foundation effective July 1, 2008.

MSFHR Video - Tribute to Dr. Michael Smith

 

Last updated July 21, 2009