Our Advocacy Program
Research Canada's Advocacy Program is designed to foster relationships and understanding among Canada's elected officials and policy makers. Working closely with our members and partners, we strive to build awareness across the federal government and its many departments for the value of Canadian health research as a catalyst to improve health and generate wealth.
Our Advocacy Program includes:
- The non-partisan parliamentary Health Research Caucus
- The Institute Visit Program
- Publications for parliamentarians, such as the 2011 Election Web site http://www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.ca/ and the Research Canada Update, a newsletter for government officials on the latest health research news.
Public Opinion Polls
Research Canada undertakes national public opinion polls on a regular basis to provide government with data on the views of Canadians about health research in Canada. These public opinion polls demonstrate Canadians’ strong support of health research and further show that Canadians see a strong public and private role in funding health research in Canada. Canadians understand that health research improves health and creates tomorrow’s jobs. They also know that health research holds a promise for the future—possible cures and better health care for all of us.
2010 Research Canada Poll: Canada Speaks! 2010:Canadians Go for Gold in Health and Medical Research!
In partnership with five national organizations, Research Canada conducted its third public opinion poll, Canada Speaks! 2010: Canadians Go for Gold in Health and Medical Research.
Health and medical research is a top priority for Canadians
- 84% say health and medical research makes an important contribution to the economy, recognizing that the economy is the most important issue facing Canadians today.
- 90% of Canadians believe basic research should be supported by government
even if it brings no immediate benefi t. Even in a recession, a large majority of Canadians would pay out of pocket to improve health and research capacity. - 89% of Canadians believe that Canada should be a global leader in this area
2007 Omnibus Poll
Media Science Forum Public Opinion Research Results: Omnibus Poll Report
2006 Research Canada Poll: Canada Speaks!
Research Canada's first national survey, released in the fall of 2006. Research Canada undertook this first public opinion survey to find out what Canadians' attitudes and perceptions are about health research. Read the Report.