The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) has shared the government's belief that research and innovation are imperative for Canada's long-term prosperity. It has stated that it is content to see some notable commitments in the 2013 Economic Action Plan.
CARL is reportedly pleased to see an additional $225 million allocated for Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) programmes. It is hopeful that this will enable the CFI to develop programming to enhance Canada's digital research infrastructure, notably so that researchers and innovators can take full advantage of the vast amounts of research data generated every year.
CARL believes that the government must increase its support for Canada's federal research granting agencies, which fund programmes that fuel scientific discovery in all fields. Nevertheless, the $37 million allocated for industry research partnerships will be helpful encouragement for new collaboration opportunities.
The association has also commended the government's commitment to celebrate Canadian history in the lead up to 2017. Museums and historical sites are important for the commemoration of history, but broader online access to the nation's documentary heritage will be crucial for teaching and researching its history, CARL has noted.
Finally, it notes the importance accorded to a number of other measures that favour increased access to information for all Canadians. Notable examples are the continued funding for infrastructure programmes that favour access to broadband Internet services and $3 million to improve access to library services by the visually disabled.
