PIPSC Science Advisory Committee

Disturbing Decline in Federal Government Research Staff:
Summary of Data Regarding Research and Development Personnel Employed by the Federal Government, 1995 to 2004.

The 2007 edition of Science Statistics provides the numbers of research and development (R & D) personnel employed in all sectors in Canada and other OECD countries. The report deals with people employed as researchers (scientists and engineers), technicians and equivalent staff, and support staff, employed in the fields of scientific research and experimental development, natural science and engineering, and social sciences and humanities.

The numbers show that while there has been a significant increase (37%) in the total number of people employed in R & D in Canada in all sectors between 1995 and 2004, the number employed by the federal government sector has declined by 11.8% during this period. The growth in R & D personnel has taken place mainly in private sector businesses, and to some extent in higher education.

The total number of full-time equivalents (FTE’s) employed by the federal government in this area has declined from 15,550 in 1995 to 13,720 in 2004 - a loss of 1,830 FTEs. In 1995, almost 11% of all people employed in R & D in Canada were employed by the federal government, while by 2004 it had decreased to just under 7%

These numbers represent a disturbing trend for federal public research, and are a concrete demonstration of the concerns raised, for a very long time, by PIPSC science members: years of federal government cutbacks have resulted in understaffed federal government’s research facilities.

Further examination of the data reveals an even deeper problem. Certain government departments have suffered the brunt of the reductions. Agriculture and Agri Food Canada suffered the largest decline in R & D staff - a 45% reduction in research staff between 1995 and 2004. Following closely behind were the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (a 43% decline), Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. (a 38% decline), and Natural Resources Canada (a 37% decline).

When the numbers for Canada are compared with other OECD countries, it is clear that Canada is falling behind. Using a Statistics Canada comparison of countries, between 1995 and 2003 Canada experienced the second most significant decline in government-employed R & D personnel, behind only France. Japan increased their level of government-employed R & D personnel during this period. Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden, saw some decrease, but at much lower rates than has occurred in Canada.

With respect to the percentage of total R & D personnel employed by governments, in 2003 Canada was at 8.4%, while Italy was at 19.1%, the Netherlands was at 16.3%, Germany was at 15.6%, and France was at 14.7%. This demonstrates that overall, Canada is lagging behind other countries with respect to its investment in intramural R & D (research undertaken by research personnel employed by the government).

These alarming statistics paint a picture of Canada as a country that is failing in its ability to meet the challenges of innovation for the 21^st century. The government’s cutbacks to intramural R & D have resulted in a decline in government lab facilities and in the working conditions for federal government scientists and researchers. The current challenges with respect to the recruitment and retention of federal scientists will only get worse if the government does not revive its investment in public science.

There are consequences for all Canadians, who rely on federal public science to support regulation and research for the public good. The Institute will continue to raise this issue with the government, and call for a renewed commitment to intramural R & D to reverse this disturbing trend.

Source: Statistics Canada, Science Statistics, January 2007 edition 88-001-XWE

The above figures paint a bleak picture for PIPSC members. The Institute Science Advisory Committee is actively working to better the working environment of members and on other issues which do not normally fall within the scope of collective bargaining. PIPSC is hosting an international public science symposium in Ottawa on Sept. 6 & 7,2007. The symposium will welcome leading scientists, policy makers, and academics, as well as individuals from private sector and non-governmental organizations to map a vision for public science in Canada. The Theme of the symposium is PUBLIC SCIENCE IN CANADA, STRENGTHENING SCIENCE TO PROTECT CANADIANS. In order to protect Canadians, Canada needs a critical mass of scientist, regulators and researchers. The SAC and the Symposium Committee will be working towards this goal.