The members recognized that there was a very narrow window during which BC had to act. They recognized that the risks of not acting were significant and sobering, and included:

• A lowering of health standards, as BC's ability to recruit, train and retain health researchers and specialists continued to deteriorate.
• Significant economic losses: Jobs, real and potential, in research and biotechology industries. Loss of BC tax dollars going to other provinces - $50 million plus every year due to BC's inability to compete effectively with other provinces for federal funds allocated to health research.

The Coalition concluded that BC needed a long-term research development strategy. Members agreed that the Coalition would facilitate unity in planning and action so that BC's health research community could speak with one voice, with a common vision. Guided by a steering committee chaired by Dr. Aubrey J. Tingle, they developed Building a BC Health Research Strategy, a vision and plan for restoring the province's competitiveness nationally and internationally. In March 2001, the BC government committed their support, creating the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research as the vehicle for implementing the Coalition vision and plan.

With the successful launch of MSFHR and the appointment of Dr. Tingle as President & CEO, the Coalition membership have begun a process of re-defining their role and purpose. To receive updates on Coalition activities please contact cgraf@msfhr.org.

Coalition members as of March 13, 2001

Arthritis Society (BC & Yukon Division)
BC Lung Association
BC Transplant Society
BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre Foundation
British Columbia's Children's Hospital Foundation
Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon Division
Canadian Diabetes Association, BC & Yukon Division
Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon
Neil Squire Foundation
St. Paul's Hospital Foundation
BC Cancer Agency
Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia
Riverview Hospital
Providence Heath Care (St Paul's)
Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre
Council of University Teaching Hospitals
BC Institute of Technology School of Health Sciences
Simon Fraser University
Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia
University of Victoria
University Presidents Council of BC
BC Research Institute for Children's & Women's Health
Pacific Parkinson's Research Institute
Physical Medicine Research Foundation
Tzu Chi Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Rick Hansen Institute, UBC
Capital Health Region
North Shore Health Region
Simon Fraser Health Region
Vancouver/Richmond Health Board
Health Association of BC
Active Pass Pharmaceuticals
Chromos Molecular Systems Inc.
ID Biomedical Corporation
Xenon Genetics Inc.