Now’s our chance to recruit top researchers from the U.S.
This article was originally published in The Gazette.
The future of research and innovation is at a critical juncture.
During the last few weeks, the Trump administration’s decision to freeze or cut billions of dollars in funding from national research agencies and universities has imperilled thousands of research projects in areas such as cancer research, climate and artificial intelligence.
Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labour and professor of public policy at UC Berkeley, is one of many who has sounded the alarm: Trump’s actions against universities are undermining the competitiveness of that once great research powerhouse.
Others are moving swiftly to turn this to their advantage. China announced that it is allocating US$54 billion to science in 2025, an unprecedented investment to attract top researchers from the U.S. and around the world. And in recent weeks, the French government has indicated its interest in welcoming U.S. scientists to its universities.
Canada has a rare and urgent opportunity to position itself as a leader in research and innovation — strengthening our productivity, creativity and innovation.
At a time when democracy, academic freedom and even truth is under threat, Canada can seize this moment to enhance our research and innovation excellence and harness the power of research in building a stronger, more self-reliant economy and society.
Canada offers an attractive home for research talent — we have an open, vibrant, democratic system that values both innovation and inclusion. But we must act decisively.
We are already seeing signs of this shift. Three esteemed Yale University professors recently announced their decision to join the University of Toronto. This high-profile move could be part of a larger pattern: top-tier scholars seeking refuge in countries where academic freedom and research integrity are safeguarded. Canada can and should be that haven.
We propose three immediate actions:
First, increase investment in research and innovation to help attract top talent.
Canada’s universities are essential to our economic future, yet research investments remain significantly lower than those of our global competitors. A strategic investment in research funding can help attract world-class scientists from the U.S. in sectors crucial to Canada’s economic future, including clean energy, AI and health sciences. By prioritizing competitive funding and infrastructure development, we can ensure Canada is a destination for global research excellence.
Second, remove barriers for U.S. students, especially graduate students, to relocate to Canada.
International students have faced extraordinary hurdles in obtaining study permits to come to Canada. The situation is particularly challenging in Quebec, where the CAQ government recently announced a new and more restrictive cap on the number of international students that will be permitted to study in the province, as well as a more complicated immigration process for researchers and professors.. Both Concordia University and the Université de Montréal have seen rapidly declining international enrolments. In the words of U de M rector Daniel Jutras: “They are choosing to go elsewhere. It will take years to undo this. It’s a catastrophe.”
At a time when the U.S. is closing its doors to global talent, we should open ours. We propose an international campaign celebrating Canada’s diversity, stable research environment, respect for the rule of law and freedom from censorship. Encouraging top U.S. researchers and students to relocate here will strengthen our academic institutions and enhance our global competitiveness in vital fields.
Third, leverage public-private partnerships to advance a Canadian research agenda.
Many American philanthropic organizations, including the Ford Foundation and Pivotal Ventures, face a domestic political environment that constrains their support for global initiatives. We have the chance to establish new partnerships with these organizations to co-fund research programs that align with Canadian areas of strength and potential. By working with industry leaders, philanthropic foundations and global institutions, we can build funding models that will drive research breakthroughs, support social cohesion and foster productivity and economic growth.
Quebec’s chief scientist, Rémi Quiron, hailed this as a unique moment to attract world-class talent and strengthen Canada’s research ecosystem. But it is about more than building academic excellence — it’s about leadership, national resilience, honouring talent and knowledge creation, and shaping the future in an era of rapid change. It is a moment that could strengthen what it means to be Canadian. But it must be grasped.
By investing in the research and innovation power of Canada’s universities, expanding our intellectual reach and forging strategic partnerships, Canada can become a global hub for knowledge and innovation. A bold investment will drive long-term economic growth, ensure Canada’s leadership in critical fields, and provide a stable environment for scholars and students from around the world.
Let’s seize this opportunity to build a future in which we lead in knowledge and innovation. It starts with talent.
Kim Brooks is a professor in tax law and policy who serves as the president and vice-chancellor of Dalhousie University. Kimberley Manning is a professor of Chinese politics and women’s studies at Concordia University.