NEWS: Support for biotechnology consistently high among Canadians
Vancouver, BC (Sept. 21) – BIOTECanada released the results today from its second annual national poll conducted by POLLARA during the first week of September. Once again, the majority of Canadians, almost 80 percent, support the use of products and processes that involve biotechnology.
While Canadians generally feel good about biotechnology, more than one-third of them do not regard Canada as a biotechnology leader, or able to keep pace with the rest of the world. The results of the poll conducted this month indicate Canadians want to see the biotechnology industry grow and produce results.
“Canadians see the benefits biotechnology offers in agriculture, health and to the environment. However, our industry is not regarded, by Canadians, as a world leader. The potential is certainly here, and action by our federal government can help in the development of a more successful industry,” said Peter Brenders, President & CEO, BIOTECanada, the national association for the biotechnology industry.
When over 50 senior industry leaders go to Ottawa on Sept. 26 for over 60 meetings on National Advocacy Day, their main asks to Parliament will be in reference to financing. Changes to the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program are essential to providing increased tax benefits to small Canadian companies.
“The poll results clearly indicate the federal government has an increasingly important role to play in the development of Canada’s biotech industry,” said Rainer Engelhardt, Chair of BIOTECanada’s Board of Directors. Over 80 percent of Canadians agree the federal government should find ways to help support Canadian biotechnology companies develop new products. Almost 90 percent say Canada’s health care system should be willing to pay more for advances in new health biotechnologies.
The complete results of this poll are available at http://www.biotech.ca and http://www.imagenenation.ca - the official website for National Biotechnology Week.
Today’s launch event in Vancouver also features a panel of renowned researchers who will discuss Canada’s role in the convergence of biotechnology. The week promises to showcase and introduce Canadians to the outstanding capacity Canada has for biotech research, discovery and development. From student bus tours, new awards and programs, to keynote speakers, all these events will have people buzzing about biotech this week.
Visit www.imagenenation.ca for complete event listings in your region.
About National Biotechnology Week
BIOTECanada and a variety of partners from the Canadian research and innovation community will host a series of events designed to increase public awareness and showcase Canadian biotechnology innovation, its potential and its people. Join in the celebration.
National partners include the National Biotechnology Accord—regional and provincial biotech associations—and BIOTECanada partners: AMGEN, AstraZeneca, Council for Biotechnology Information, Genzyme, Novo Nordisk Canada, Ortho Biotech, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Roche, and Sanofi Pasteur Limited. www.imagenenation.ca
About BIOTECanada
BIOTECanada is the national association representing the broad spectrum of biotech constituents including emerging and established companies in the health, agricultural, and industrial sectors, as well as academic and research institutions and other organizations dedicated to the long term and sustainable development of biotechnology, its practices and products. www.biotech.ca
About POLLARA
POLLARA, the largest Canadian public opinion and marketing research firm, helps its clients improve their performance through strategic research designed and analyzed by consultants who are experts in their fields. Drawing on the talents of more than 650 employees located in 6 cities across Canada, POLLARA provides a full range of research services to leading global, national, and local companies and to public and non-profit sector organizations. www.pollara.ca
For further information
Rhowan Sivel
BIOTECanada
613-858-4721
rhowan.sivel@biotech.ca
Roland Merbis
POLLARA
rmer@pollara.ca
416-921-0090 ext. 2218
