Professor Bruce Pardy calls for the elimination of federal research funding for universities in his presentation to the Standing Committee on Science and Research studies (SRSR)—tasked with evaluating whether the criteria used for awarding federal funding on research excellence are still appropriate or whether modifications should be made. Prof. Pardy’s presentation is available via the link below at the 17:08:48 mark.
Summary: In Canada, the primary focus of universities isn’t just about making money; it’s about securing government funding. Canadian universities are largely dedicated to obtaining as much government money as possible, becoming chronic welfare recipients akin to the CBC, reliant on government support with no prospect of self-sufficiency. “These institutions are like deep black holes where vast amounts of money disappear,” argues Prof. Pardy, as he continues: “If you are a young professor today, your university probably doesn’t care so much about your work, it cares more about whether you get federal grants.” Universities take a significant cut from each grant, he notes, and to secure grants, the research must align with the preferences of granting councils. Universities have entire departments of administrators focused on coaching academics to present their research in a way that pleases those holding the purse strings. The result: federal research funding corrupts the intellectual mission of universities.
He concludes:
A large portion of academia are among the numerous Canadians feeding at the public trough. The public sector constitutes 40% of the Canadian economy, which is unsustainable and contributes to the nation’s growing poverty. As the saying goes, “he who pays the piper calls the tune.” Government money always comes with strings—ideological and political ones.
The way to ensure politically neutral research is to eliminate government granting agencies.
“You are studying whether to reform federal research funding; don’t reform it. Abolish it. Get rid of it. Universities fall under provincial jurisdiction. Please stop interfering, please stop taking money from truck drivers and cashiers and giving it to elite institutions. Please stop corrupting the intellectual enterprise. Please stop requiring and funding discrimation against white people, Asian people, and men. Please stop dictating how research is done and by whom. Please get federal money out of the business of Canadian universities.”
VIEW THE PROCEEDINGS IN FULL HERE [See 17:08:48 for Prof. Pardy, followed by the Q&A]