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Canada announced a CA$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) program on Tuesday to attract top global researchers, aiming to recruit talent fleeing the U.S. due to policies under President Donald Trump. Major Canadian institutions, including the country’s largest hospital network and the University of Toronto, have previously launched multimillion-dollar initiatives to bring in experts affected by Trump’s broad cuts to scientific research. The federal government has now joined these efforts, describing the initiative as “one of the largest recruitment programs of its kind worldwide.”
This program isn’t exclusively focused on U.S.-based scientists harmed by Trump’s policies. According to a joint statement from the Departments of Industry and Health, the goal is to “attract and support more than 1,000 leading international and expatriate researchers,” including French speakers. When asked at a Tuesday press conference if the initiative would target scientists alienated by the U.S. president, Industry Minister Melanie Joly responded, “Some countries are turning their backs on academic freedom. We won’t do that.”
Joly emphasized that the recruitment effort would be global, adding, “We know many people south of the border are already raising their hands and showing interest. Our universities have already begun these conversations.” Experts warn that Trump’s policies could spark significant shifts in the global competition to attract the world’s brightest minds — a race that has long been dominated by well-funded U.S. universities backed by substantial federal support.
Trump’s budget cuts have impacted a wide range of research projects, especially those related to climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Meanwhile, the European Union has also taken steps to attract U.S. researchers, announcing a €500 million ($582 million) incentive package earlier this year to make the 27-nation bloc more enticing for researchers.
Joly highlighted that encouraging prominent Canadian researchers working abroad to return home will be a priority. “For a long time, we’ve talked about brain drain in Canada,” she said, expressing hope that the country can now “bring our talent back home.”
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