is a not-for-profit, voluntary organization that is a strong national voice for health research advocacy in Canada. Working for all Canadians, its membership is drawn from all sectors dedicated to increasing investments in health research, including the leading health research institutes, national health charities, hospitals, regional health authorities, universities, private industry and others.
http://www.rc-rc.ca

Research Canada is pleased to release the results of its first national poll.

Canada Speaks 2006: Research Canada's First Public Opinion Survey on Health Research in Canada will be released at an event to be held on Parliament Hill on November 8th, 2006.
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Some of the key messages emerging from the poll:

Canadians place high value on health research

More investment required
• 91% of Canadians want the government to invest money in health and medical research. That is an overwhelming mandate for any government;

• When Canadians learn that less than 1 cent of every public health dollar goes to health and medical research, 85% say that one cent or more should be spent;

• Further, the majority of Canadians are willing to pay out of their own pockets to fund new health and medical research projects.

Multi-sector involvement
• Industry should be encouraged to conduct more research – 83% of Canadians agree.

Political leadership
• Canadians more likely to vote for candidate who supports increased funding for health and medical research.

Canadians see a strong federal role in support of health and medical research

• 91% of Canadians want the federal government to invest more in basic research, even if it brings no immediate benefits;

• 87% of Canadians say it is important for both the federal and provincial governments to educate and train researchers.

Health research holds promise for the future

• Canadians believe that health research holds the promise of curing diseases, developing new drugs, improving health and health care, and that it makes an important contribution to the economy.