The federal government’s 2025 budget has drawn praise from Canada’s scientific community for its focus on research funding, innovation, and talent development. Evidence for Democracy (E4D), a national non-profit advocating for evidence-informed decision-making, welcomed the government’s renewed commitment to strengthening Canada’s science and research ecosystem.
Unveiled in Ottawa on Tuesday, Budget 2025 emphasizes investment in federal research capacity, sovereign infrastructure, and recruitment of top-tier scientific talent. The government framed these measures as critical to boosting economic productivity and securing Canada’s long-term competitiveness in an increasingly innovation-driven global economy.
Strengthening the Research Foundation
For E4D, the inclusion of measures to support researchers and institutions represents a major win for Canada’s science community. “Budget 2025 provides an encouraging investment into next-generation researchers and research support systems,” said Félix Proulx-Giraldeau, Interim Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy. “The government understands that prioritizing investments in research talent, infrastructure, and innovation is key to laying the foundation for a future driven by science and evidence.”
E4D emphasized that these budgetary commitments align closely with recommendations the organization and its partners have been advancing in recent months. In September, E4D and the Coalition for Canadian Research issued an open letter urging Ottawa to bolster core science funding, protect granting councils, and strengthen Canada’s research sovereignty. The 2025 budget, the group noted, demonstrates the government’s recognition of those priorities.
“We are encouraged that the government has acknowledged our sector’s voice by limiting the impact of spending reductions on the federal granting agencies and committing to the planned increases to core research grants, scholarships and fellowships announced in last year’s Budget 2024,” the organization said.
Balancing Investment with Fiscal Restraint
While the new spending commitments have been widely welcomed, E4D cautioned that fiscal measures accompanying the budget could have longer-term implications for the research community. The government confirmed an upcoming expenditure review that will reduce funding across a range of federal scientific agencies and departments.
“We note that the upcoming expenditure review will introduce reductions across many scientific federal agencies, impacting our world-class researchers and scientists,” added Proulx-Giraldeau. “Given that this review also includes significant structural and policy changes, this leaves some concern over the long-term impact these reductions will have on our research community.”
The comment reflects a broader sentiment among research advocates, who have warned that budget reductions to key agencies could erode the gains made through new investments. Experts say predictable, long-term funding is essential to attract and retain top talent, particularly as Canada competes globally for researchers in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy.
Science at the Core of Economic Growth
Budget 2025’s focus on innovation and science follows a growing recognition within government that research capacity underpins national competitiveness. Investments in research infrastructure, academic-industry collaboration, and skills development are expected to yield productivity gains and spur technological advancement across multiple sectors.
For organizations like E4D, this approach underscores the critical link between science and public policy. The group has consistently argued that evidence-based decision-making—rooted in robust, well-funded research—leads to stronger outcomes across the economy, health, and environmental stewardship.
“The government’s commitment to research talent and infrastructure is an investment not only in innovation but in the future resilience of Canada’s economy,” said Proulx-Giraldeau. “This is about building a foundation where evidence guides decisions, and science drives prosperity.”
Continued Advocacy and Oversight
As implementation details of the 2025 budget roll out, E4D says it will monitor progress closely, ensuring that commitments to science are sustained and effectively delivered. “As the details of the budget’s initiatives emerge, E4D remains committed to monitoring developments, advocating for evidence-informed policies, and working with the government to ensure science continues to drive progress and prosperity in Canada,” the organization said.
While the path forward includes challenges—particularly in balancing fiscal restraint with the need for robust scientific investment—advocates view the budget as a promising signal that research and innovation remain central to Canada’s economic strategy.
For E4D and its partners, the government’s latest commitments represent a reaffirmation of science as a national priority. And as Proulx-Giraldeau noted, the success of these measures will ultimately depend on Canada’s ability to maintain a stable, well-supported research environment that empowers the next generation of scientists and innovators.
