Canadian Genomics Strategy investments in Genome Canada will accelerate adoption and commercialization of cutting-edge genomics technologies and leverage AI-powered data for a healthier, more prosperous and resilient Canada.
Media release
Ottawa, ON – Feb. 6, 2025 – Genome Canada congratulates the Government of Canada and Canada’s genomics community on the launch of the Canadian Genomics Strategy (CGS), unveiled today at the Canadian Genomics Summit 2025 by Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
First announced in Budget 2021, the strategy pledged $175 million over seven years for genomics in Canada, to advance commercialization, data access and talent development, building off of $136.7M announced in 2021 for Genome Canada to kick-off the strategy.
Genome Canada is proud to play a leading role in shaping and delivering the strategy and will work with Canada’s genomics community to:
- Drive commercialization with a $96M investment in the Genome Applications Partnership Program, turning world-class research and innovation into solutions that save lives, bolster Canadian supply chains and fuel economic growth across sectors. Genome Canada will work with Canadian companies to build economic prosperity and strengthen national industries in an increasingly competitive global market.
- Increase access to the large-scale genomic data researchers, innovators and companies need to harness the bio-revolution. With a $2.5M investment, Genome Canada will lead large-scale genomic data coordination and capacity building—aligning and strengthening national and regional data management and coordination.
- Strengthen alignment with regional and provincial genomics efforts, supported by a $20M investment in Canada’s six regional Genome Centres. Building relationships across local industries, governments and other stakeholders the Canadian Genomics Enterprise will increase the uptake and utility of genomics technologies with a Team Canada approach.
These investments will align with the $154.2M Strategic Science Fund investment previously announced to support Genome Canada’s mission-driven genomics initiatives—generating maximum impact for Canadians across health, agriculture and food, and environment and natural resources sectors.
With today’s announcement, Canada now has national strategies for artificial intelligence, quantum and genomics: mutually-enforcing general purpose technologies that will help uplift all parts of the economy and lay the foundations for thriving communities. These strategic investments are vital to safeguarding national security and sovereignty amid increasing global instability and myriad political, economic, health and environmental challenges.
Genome Canada will work in close collaboration to deliver on the strategy with Canada’s six regional Genome Centres, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and other CGS delivery partners.
Through continued partnership with the tri-agencies and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Genome Canada will support the training and capacity building needed to sharpen Canada’s competitive edge in genomics.
Genome Canada is also pleased to see CGS investment in its long-time partners at the Canada-based Global Alliance for Genomics in Health advancing data standardization, as well as $15M for Innovative Solutions Canada to leverage government procurement to test new genomics products.
Ongoing partnerships with the provinces and industry partners across sectors—key collaborators and co-funders in Genome Canada initiatives—will also be pivotal to maximizing the Canadian Genomics Strategy’s impact.
Quotes
“Genome Canada is proud of the confidence the government has shown in our leadership and mission to put genomics data and technologies to work strengthening Canadian health, prosperity and resilience.
In an increasingly unstable world, Canadian science, technology and innovation are our armour and our fuel. The Canadian Genomics Enterprise was built to take on big challenges. And 25 years into our mandate, we are taking another major step forward to generate even greater impact for Canadians.”
– Dr. Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada.
“Today’s launch of the Canadian Genomics Strategy will help solidify Canada’s position as a global leader in genomics innovation and place our talented researchers, innovators and businesses at the forefront of this cutting-edge work. By investing in the commercialization of genomics technologies, our government is securing a healthier and more prosperous future for Canadians for generations to come.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Investing in genomics innovation is essential to driving economic growth and delivering real benefits for Canadians. Through the Canadian Genomics Strategy, we are advancing commercialization, fostering collaboration, and developing a highly skilled workforce to ensure Canada remains at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.”
– Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre