New Liberal leader champions R&D boost

Scores of federal Liberals seemed to emerge from their leadership convention expressing a measure of incredulity about what they'd just done in selecting former cabinet minister Stéphane Dion to their party helm.

It took several curious turns of events for the erstwhile defender of federalism within Quebec, who'd cast himself as an environmental crusader, to top frontrunners Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae.

Dion's health policies were certainly among the mysteries to Liberal delegates. Although the 51-year-old sociologist participated in the CMAJ's survey of Liberal leadership hopefuls (CMAJ 2006;175:1189-90), he did not issue a health policy paper. In his sole campaign statement on health, Dion re-affirmed opinions expressed to the CMAJ to the effect that access to health care shouldn't be “determined by the thickness of the patient's wallet” but that more private sector delivery of services shouldn't be ruled out-of-hand.

Dion said he also wants to improve Aboriginal health, increase health research promote healthy lifestyles and sports activities and strengthen the public health agency. “I want to have the strongest regulations against pollutants and against dangerous products. I want to put in place a better Canadian drug approval process, and better international cooperation on dealing with pandemics.”

During the campaign, Dion also vowed to use tax incentives to spur higher research outlays within the private sector, and more commercialization on federally funded research through mechanisms like a fund that would allow government scientists “to compete for new long-term funding over and above their existing research budgets when undertaking projects in conjunction” with small and medium-sized businesses. He also proposed devoting 5% of all federal research outlays to address the needs of developing countries, particularly with regard to health and the environment.

Dion also championed another fund to promote multidisciplinary environmental research, as well as one to fund research needs identified as national “grand challenges” by Canada's cutting-edge scientists at annual gatherings.

Dion also resurrected the 1999 Advisory Council on Science & Technology recommendations that intellectual property rules within academe be revised to vest rights with institutions rather than individuals, and that universities be obligated to invest more in technology transfer offices to generate more revenues through licensing and other forms of technology transfer. He'd also create a “Talent and Research Fund for International Study” to attract more foreign students, as well as promote more international research collaborations and academic exchanges. — Wayne Kondro, CMAJ

Figure. Dion reaffirmed that access to health care shouldn't be “determined by the thickness of the patient's wallet.” Photo by: Canapress