The “engine of research comes from ideas,” says keynote speaker at our annual public meeting

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – “Our greatest challenge is to explain to people the importance of fundamental science,” said Fabiola Gianotti, Director-General of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, at the annual public meeting of the Canada Foundation for Innovation November 7. Gianotti spoke to a large audience in Ottawa about the groundbreaking research being conducted at CERN, and how its innovative  model brings together more than 3,000 scientists from 40 countries to collaborate in the quest to better understand the fundamental structure of the universe.

Watch: Dr. Fabiola Gianotti, Director-General of CERN, addresses the CFI’s APM

[PHOTO CAPTION]: Fabiola Gianotti, Director-General of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, discusses the role of discovery research in innovation, and the critical role the next generation of researchers plays in helping unravel the mysteries of the universe at CFI’s 20th annual public meeting.

In addition to Gianotti’s presentation, CFI Board of Directors Vice-Chair, Margaret Bloodworth, presented the CFI’s latest annual report, for the fiscal year that ran from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2017, titled Research builds our communities. She highlighted some key activities from that year, including celebrating our 20th anniversary, managing the adjudication process for the Governor General’s Innovation Awards, contributing to the Fundamental Science Review and awarding funds to world-class research projects across Canada. “With some 507 projects at institutions across Canada awarded over $470 million this past year,” she said, “it is clear that the CFI continues to play a vital role in building the country’s capacity for research and innovation.”

The CFI’s President and CEO, Roseann O’Reilly Runte, reviewed our financial statements for 2016–17. She focused on the continuing relevance of the CFI to support the research infrastructure needs of a new, ambitious generation of researchers. “Our youth want to give back to their communities and the world,” she said. “They want to solve the problems of the environment, health and the economy. And surely, we need them."