News Release
1999-76
May 27, 1999
Federal government funds first phase of research projects on toxic substances
OTTAWA - The need for sound scientific research into toxic substances that harm human health and the environment is being addressed by the Government of Canada. Environment Minister Christine Stewart and Health Minister Allan Rock today announced $10.94 million has been allocated for the first phase of research projects under the Toxic Substances Research Initiative (TSRI).
The TSRI is a $40 million four-year initiative designed to implement the commitment in Securing Our Future Together to enhance Canadian environmental and health science capacity. Over the 1999-2000 fiscal year, the Government of Canada will fund 81 separate research projects under the TSRI's five priority research areas:
- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) - $2.32 million
- Specific forms of metals in the environment - $2.05 million
- Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) - $2.16 million
- Urban air quality and human exposure to airborne pollutants - $2.19 million
- Cumulative effects of toxic substances - $2.22 million
"The projects funded under the Toxic Substances Research Initiative are important because their research will help us develop policies to protect our health and the health of our environment," said Minister Stewart. "Furthermore, many of these research projects will help us meet commitments under the
New Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), such as assessing and taking action on toxic substances more quickly, and conducting research on endocrine disrupting substances."
"All Canadians will directly benefit from this investment to accelerate our environmental and health science research and enhance our knowledge base. We have established a distinct research initiative that can focus the scientific efforts of the Canadian research community on these important issues," said Minister Rock.
The research projects that were selected possess strong scientific and technical merit, while also supporting the TSRI's objective of enhancing the knowledge base needed to define and reduce the ecosystem and health effects of toxic substances in Canada.
Many of the successful proposals will receive funding over the duration of the proposed study. The majority, 86%, of the proposals funded in this fiscal year are three years in duration, while 11% are two years in length, and 3% are one year proposals. The projects, approved for a period of more than one fiscal year, will have to submit an annual progress report before subsequent funding installments will be released.
Over 360 Canadian researchers will be participating in the various research studies, and will draw upon strong partnerships between government, industry, academia and non-governmental sectors across Canada.
The proposals underwent scientific technical peer review in April, 1999. A Science Management Committee, composed of senior scientists and science managers from both government and non-government organizations finalized the funding decisions.
The research projects which were selected for funding possess strong scientific and technical merit, while also supporting the TSRI's objective of enhancing the knowledge base needed to define and reduce the ecosystem and health effects of toxic substances in Canada.
The $40 million Toxic Substances Research Initiative, combined with February's budget commitment of $43 million for the assessment,management and tracking of toxic substances demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to the protection of health and the environment from the effects of toxics.
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