NRC takes stock of future following federal budget

The National Research Council (NRC) has ruled out closure of any existing institutes, branches or programs in the wake of its failure to obtain significant new funding in the February 28 federal Budget. Despite having a base budget described by president Dr Arthur Carty as "very tight", the agency is seeking solace in a number of initiatives within and outside the Budget envelope. Carty spoke to employees last month and outlined the areas in which the NRC can expect to receive additional financial support.

They include confirmation of funding for its proposed aerospace strategic initiative, which will see the creation of a gas turbine centre at Ottawa's Institute for Aerospace Research and an advanced aerospace manufacturing technology centre in Montreal. Senior government officials have also confirmed "the likelihood of a new investment" to participate in "technology clustering and regional/community innovation initiatives in Atlantic Canada", although an announcement is unlikely in the near term.

Within the Budget envelope, the NRC will receive $9 million over three years to address "health and safety issues" resulting from deteriorating infrastructure, and will also benefit from the $2.7-billion federal-provincial matching program for renewal of urban, rural and municipal infrastructure. The latter will include a National Infrastructure Guide now being developed by the Institute for Research in Construction.

The NRC also hopes to participate in several new Budget initiatives, including Genome Canada and the $100-million Sustainable Development Technology Fund, which should complement its recently announced National Fuel Cell Initiative.

Despite the government's failure to address serious base funding issues in the last two Budgets, the NRC is forging ahead with plans to strengthen its position as a key player in the national innovation and productivity agenda. It is preparing a new vision statement and five-year plan slated for release this fall, which will include a renewed pitch for funding in the 2001 Budget based on R&D, innovation and technology cluster development. It will also proceed with its previously announced 2% reallocation exercise in the coming fiscal year.