The federal budget, released Mar. 4, gives universities across Canada more money for research.

Money promised to university programs includes $32 million for Canada’s three research granting councils, $8 million to cover indirect costs of research and $45 million over five years to create postdoctoral fellowships.

“This will enable Western and other Canadian universities to recruit and retain top scholars — the talent Canada needs to successfully compete [for] globally,” Amit Chakma, Western’s president, said in a press release.

Chakma applauded the budget, and explained this shows the federal government understands the important role universities play in Canada’s economy.

“We appreciate the strong signal the federal government continues to send that research and innovation are important to building Canada’s future,” Chakma said.

Chakma also explained these commitments would allow all of Canada to benefit through the creation of new jobs.

“The funding commitments announced in today’s budget will allow our researchers to compete with the best in world and help to create new jobs, allowing all Canadians to prosper,” Chakma explained.

—Cheryl Stone