Canada boosts science, vaccine research with $518M in new federal funding

Efforts to boost Canada’s ability to produce vaccines are among over 100 research projects receiving new federal money.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $518 million Wednesday he says will support the work of nearly 1,000 researchers.

The projects receiving the cash also include ocean sensors to track climate change and setting up a digital archive to house records related to residential schools.

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The vaccine-related funding will be directed to the researchers from the Universite Laval-affiliated hospitals in Quebec City.

2:05 Top B.C. researchers to study effects of COVID-19 on the elderly

Their aim is to create a public vaccine production program that will help develop and test vaccines and launch-related startup companies.

The frustration that Canada is reliant on foreign manufacturers to access the COVID-19 vaccine has led to calls to boost Canada’s domestic capabilities.