Conclusion

The opportunities for leveraging federal funding to build our research base have never been greater. But British Columbia's ability to compete with other provinces for research dollars from federal government programs, disease agencies and industry depends on having the human and institutional infrastructure to undertake the very best research in the country. While we have pockets of excellence, that rival the best in Canada and the world, B.C. is playing catch-up.

B.C. lags behind all provinces but one in support for research at a time when other provinces are increasing their research capacity. To restore B.C.'s competitiveness at the federal level so that people in British Columbia can share the health and economic benefits of a strong health research enterprise, support for the basic infrastructure and talent pool (as outlined in Building a B.C. Health Research Strategy) must be put in place now.