From a media release distributed last week by the Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada.
In light of the recent resignation of UBC Dean of Arts, Dr. Shirley Neuman, the Hon. Ron Duhamel, the secretary of state for Science, Research and Development, reaffirmed the government's support for research in the humanities and social sciences on Monday while speaking in the House of Commons.
Dr. Neuman, one of Canada's leading literary scholars and the founder of both NeWest Press and Longspoon Press, announced her intention to resign as dean of Arts at UBC on Friday to take up a similar position at the University of Michigan. Her resignation has prompted wide-spread concern that federal cuts to transfers for post-secondary education and the historical underfunding of research in the humanities and social sciences has left Canadian universities unable to keep leading Canadian scholars in Canada.
Describing Dr. Neuman's departure as a "big loss for Canada," MP Ray Pagtakhan asked "what is the government doing to restore funding to research in the social sciences and humanities, a true pillar of Canadian identity?"
Duhamel responded that "while I understand this situation has occurred, I also recognize, as does my colleague, the importance of social sciences and humanities research in Canada." He noted that the government had increased the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Budget by $7 million in 1998 and $5 million in 1999.
"This government recognizes the importance of research," he concluded. "We have invested heavily and shall continue to do so."