Science minister Duncan meets with CRCC for updates

Science minister Kirsty Duncan met with members of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) this June to outline her expectations for the committee created in fall 2017 to harmonize research initiatives among federal granting agencies. Duncan’s office said the meeting was held in Ottawa where she made clear her expectations of the CRCC, how it is engaging with the research community, ongoing collaboration and operating in an open, transparent and collaborative manner. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, minister of Health, also weighed in on the CRCC’s ongoing work. Taylor and Duncan penned an open letter to CRCC outlining their mandate. In light of Duncan’s recent meeting with the CRCC, Taylor said she is expecting the committee to bring about transformative and lasting change to empower Canada’s researchers to fulfill their ambitions. Aside from coordinating research, the CRCC is also mandated to improve equity, diversity and inclusion in the research community, and work with Indigenous communities to develop interdisciplinary Indigenous research. The committee is composed of the heads of the three granting agencies who will head the CRCC on a rotating basis, starting with the president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The committee also includes the heads of Canada Foundation for Innovation, National Research Council, the Chief Science Advisor, and the DMs of Health Canada, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Last May, the CRCC chair outlined the committee’s progress in an interview with RE$EARCH MONEY.