Government of Canada supports scientific research to improve food production and soil quality

OTTAWA - Science plays a central role in the Government of Canada's commitment to producing health, environmental and economic outcomes that improve the lives of Canadians and build a healthy middle class. That's why David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, on behalf of The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, announced $4 million in funding for two new research projects under the Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI).

Also read, Canada and EU sign historic Trade Agreement during EU-Canada Summit.

GRDI is a unique federal initiative that fosters integrated research cooperation among eight federal science departments and agencies. The results of these research endeavours provide the evidence needed to inform the public policy, regulatory, and operational mandates of government.

Of the two new projects funded, the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) project will make food production safer by developing strategies that reduce bacterial and microbial resistance, the result of bacteria and microbes becoming immune to drugs. This project aims to gain a greater understanding of the contributing factors to AMR, and to discover how resistant bacteria reach humans through the food production systems.

The second project funded, EcoBiomics, will explore how genomics can be used to sustain and enhance the health of soil and water systems. Unlike harmful microbes that develop resistance to antibiotics, microbes found in soil and water are essential to providing crops and wild vegetation with the building blocks they need to grow. This work will study how genomics research tools can be used to enhance soil and water monitoring, assessment, and rehabilitation.

Through investments like these, the Government of Canada continues to support the full spectrum of fundamental and applied sciences in ways that will improve food production safety and enhance soil and water quality for all Canadians. The results from these scientific studies will contribute to new technologies to protect human health and the environment, and to support key industry sectors like agriculture, fisheries and forestry. These projects will also play a key role in positioning Canada's public sector scientists as leaders in genomics innovation.

Quick Facts

• Each year, the Genomics Research and Development Initiative provides $19.9 million dollars to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• GRDI provides a solid foundation for public sector scientists to position themselves as important participants in genomics research in Canada and internationally, for example in academic projects funded by Genome Canada.
• Budget 2016 committed more than $237 million for projects funded by Genome Canada which will translate discoveries into solutions across key sectors of national importance such as health, agriculture, fisheries, the environment and energy.

SOURCE National Research Council Canada