Recipients of SSHRC Partnership Grants, Partnership Development Grants, Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants

Speaking Points

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, PC, MP
Minister of Science

Toronto, Ontario

September 9, 2016

Check Against Delivery

Good afternoon.

Judy [Sgro, Member of Parliament for Humber River–Black Creek], thank you for your generous words of introduction.

Allow me to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Robert Haché [Vice President Research and Innovation, York University] and our gracious hosts here at York University.

And to Ted Hewitt [President, SSHRC] and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, or SSHRC, for inviting me to be here for this momentous occasion.

It is my distinct honour to be here today with exciting news for social science and humanities research in this country.

While my own background is in the physical sciences, I cannot begin to express how much I value the social sciences and humanities.

It is social scientists and humanities researchers who ensure that groundbreaking innovations mesh within the social systems that adopt them.

In government, we turn to you to try to understand everything from immigration and inequality to behavioural economics—some of the most profoundly challenging policy questions facing society today.

I am proud to serve a government that understands the valuable role of research in society and in providing us with the evidence we need to make sound policy decisions.

The government is committed to advancing research and encouraging partnerships among researchers and with those in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to develop innovative approaches that will improve the well-being of Canadians and strengthen the middle class.

To do that, we rely on the full spectrum of the sciences—which includes the social sciences and humanities.

And so, it is my privilege to announce that nearly 1,150 social sciences and humanities research projects will receive federal funding to build knowledge and research collaborations—across disciplines and between the public and private sectors.

The support comes through SSHRC's Partnership Grants, Partnership Development Grants, Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants and represents a total investment of $163 million.

Here at York University alone, there are 44 successful applicants sharing $7 million in support.

Congratulations, everyone! We are so proud of all of you.

I'd like to highlight the work of one researcher who exemplifies the high calibre of this round of award recipients.

Dr. Valerie Preston is a professor of geography here at York U and is the former director of the Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement.

Her team is receiving a Partnership Grant to support her investigations to enhance the resilience of Canadian migrant communities.

This kind of work is absolutely necessary to help overcome the settlement challenges currently facing migrants.

Additionally, it will help to provide policymakers and practitioners with the knowledge they need to best assist Canada's newest citizens and migrant population.

Dr. Preston, I am sincerely humbled by your efforts and by the work you do to help us support those who now call Canada home.

Thank you.

My friends, I hope the new investments I've announced today mean that no great idea goes unpursued in this country because of a lack of resources.

I hope these investments will help you and future generations of researchers that want to make a difference in our country.

I hope they inspire a gifted student to pursue a master's or doctorate degree.

And I hope they launch the career of the next Valerie Preston.

I want to congratulate everyone here for increasing our knowledge and understanding of the world around us, and I want to thank you for your contributions to the betterment of our country.

I wish you all every success with your exciting discoveries.

Thank you once again for your generous invitation. It has been a privilege to join you today.