A statement by the Tri-agency and CFI Presidents in response to the crash of Flight PS752

Canada’s national research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canada Foundation for Innovation—are deeply saddened by the crash of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in Tehran, Iran, yesterday, which claimed the lives of 176 people, including 57 Canadians and many with links to Canada.

Among the victims were numerous Canadian and international students, researchers and other valued members of the Canadian research community. While it is impossible to fully grasp the magnitude of this loss, there is no doubt that its impacts will be multifaceted and far-reaching for Canada and around the globe.

We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the friends, colleagues and members of the broader research community who join us in mourning their loss.

Sincerely,

Michael Strong, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Alejandro Adem, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Ted Hewitt, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation