Canada is wrong to exclude domestic applicants from 150 Research Chairs program: URegina professor

The Canadian government is misguided in its decision to exclude Canadians from applying for the Canada 150 Research Chairs program, writes University of Regina Professor Raymond Blake. The author argues that the decision to make the program only available to those coming from outside Canada “is purely political, part of Justin Trudeau’s plan to showcase Canada internationally as a welcoming place.” Further, Blake argues that the program exacerbates the demoralizing effects of what is already a difficult job market for new Canadian PhD graduates. Blake concludes that Canada should allow its own academics to compete for spaces in the program, as failing to do so may ultimately weaken the quality of Canada’s universities rather than improving it. Regina Leader-Post