A blow to Canadian astronomy

The press release below reflects a blow to Canadian visual astronomy. With the closing of the major Toronto area telescope there will be few serious research capacities left in Canada.

Conservatives must reinstate federal funding for world-class observatory

MONTREAL - The Conservatives' lack of vision about federal investments in scientific research is once again evident, this time threatening the future of Canadian astronomers' enviable international reputation, Liberal Critic for Industry, Science and Technology Marc Garneau said today.

"By choosing to cut the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's (NSERC) budget, the Conservatives have put the Mont Megantic Astronomical Observatory in jeopardy," said Mr. Garneau. "This observatory is a priceless tool in the development of tomorrow's great astrophysicists and its loss would be a terrible blow to Canada's scientific community. The Conservatives have a very strange way of marking the 2009 International Year of Astronomy proclaimed by UNESCO."

NSERC has cut the observatory's research infrastructure funding by $140,000 this year, and $325,000 for subsequent years, out of a total budget of $1 million. The observatory also receives funding from the University of Montreal, Laval University, and the Government of Quebec.

The observatory may no longer be able to provide higher education opportunities to hundreds of high-level scientists as it has done for decades, Mr. Garneau added.

"The communities surrounding the observatory have demonstrated they care about this institution, mobilizing to create the International Dark Sky Reserve, a remarkable initiative," added Mr Garneau. "Moreover, the observatory is an important tourist draw that welcomes many amateur astronomers every year."

Mr. Garneau is asking the Harper government to reconsider what it is doing to the future of Canada's scientific community.

"This is just one example of how this visionless government simply does not grasp how science, research and innovation are the foundations of a strong economy and the jobs of tomorrow. They have cut federal funding for research in universities and granting agencies, and Canada's overall public-private investment in research has failed to keep pace with the world.

"The government should be investing more, not less, in science and research. It's how we build a competitive and progressive economy. They need to reverse this very ill-advised decision to cut these budgets," said Mr. Garneau.

James Morton