Ontario government creates cancer research institute

The Ontario government is investing $142 million over four years to create the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) with a core group of researchers located in the MaRS Discovery District. The OICR is being touted as the first collaborative research institute to focus on cancer from prevention through to treatment. The funding was announced in the last provincial Budget and full implementation is expected to take approximately one year (R$, May 18/05). The funding includes $65.2 million for the Ontario Cancer Research Network (OCNR) as part of its next funding phase. The Network’s programs will be consolidated within the OICR, which will work with other public and private sector groups throughout the province. The OICR’s 10-person board of directors is chaired by Dr John Evans and the staff is headed up by president and CEO Dr Bob Phillips and a scientific director who will be appointed by the board. The OICR completes a process that began under the previous Ontario government of premier Ernie Eves. Prior to its electoral defeat, the Eves government announced $1 billion over 10 years for a new Cancer Research Institute of Ontario as well as $100 million for OCNR (R$, May 18/05). That decision followed a comprehensive study and report conducted by Dr George Connell, former president of the Univ of Toronto....