Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR) – March 12, 2026

Study on the governance and accountability of federal science policy and institutions – briefing material for NRC President Mitch Davies

Committee Member Biographies

Parliamentary Affairs, 
March 2026

Committee Mandate

The mandate of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research (SRSR) is to study all matters relating to science and research, including any reports of the Chief Science Advisor, and any other matter which the House refers to the standing committee.

Committee Members

Name & role	Party	Riding	SRSR Member since
Chair
Salma Zahid	Liberal	Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East, ON	June 2025
Vice Chairs
Tony Baldinelli Shadow Minister for Tourism	Conservative	Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON	December 2021
Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Critic for Youth, Innovation, and Science	Bloc Québécois	Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC	December 2021
Members
Kelly DeRidder	Conservative	Kitchener Centre, ON	June 2025
Vincent Neil Ho	Conservative	Richmond Hill South, ON	June 2025
Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault	Liberal	Madawaska—Restigouche, NB	September 2025
Jagsharan Singh Mahal	Conservative	Edmonton Southeast, AB	June 2025
Jennifer McKelvie Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure	Liberal	Ajax, ON	June 2025
Taleeb Noormohamed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation	Liberal	Vancouver Granville, BC	June 2025
Aslam Rana	Liberal	Hamilton Centre, ON	June 13, 2025

Chair

Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre – Don Valley East, Ontario)

Liberal Party of Canada

• First elected as the Member of Parliament Scarborough Centre, in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and 2021. Re-elected for Scarborough Centre—Don Valley East in April 2025.
• MP Zahid is also a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) and the Liaison Committee (LIAI). She previously served as Chair of CIMM, and has sat on numerous committees since her election in 2015.
• Prior to her election, MP Zahid was a community organizer working to support women, families and youth. She has held several public service positions with the Government of Ontario.
• MP Zahid holds a Master in Educational Management and Administration from the University of London's Institute of Education, and an MBA from Quaid e Azam University in Pakistan.

Legislative Activities:

• Sponsored Bills: C-331 An Act to amend the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act (duty of candour) (Outside the Order of Precedence).

1st Vice-Chair

Tony Baldinelli (Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario)

Conservative Party of Canada

• First elected as the Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. Re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake in April 2025.
• Previously served on numerous committees, including the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), Standing Committee on International (CIIT) and the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVID).
• Prior to being elected, MP Baldinelli worked at the Niagara Parks Commission for 18 years. In September 2020, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole appointed MP Baldinelli special adviser on Tourism Recovery.

Legislative activities:

• Sponsored Bills: C-324 An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (maximum security offenders) - Outside the Order of Precedence.

2nd Vice-Chair

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas (Rimouski—La Matapédia, Québec)

Bloc Québécois

• First elected as the Member of Parliament for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques in September 2019 and re-elected in 2021. Re-elected for Rimouski—La Matapédia in April 2025.
• MP Blanchette-Joncas previously served as the Vice-Chair of SRSR and the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and was a member of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVI).
• Prior to being elected, MP Blanchette-Joncas worked at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), and later served as Deputy Director General of the Municipality of L'Isle-Verte.
• He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Quebec at Rimouski.

Legislative activities:

• Sponsored Bills:
  • 44-1: C-346 - An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (certificate of competency) - Outside the Order of Precedence.
  • 43-2: C-281 - An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (certificate of competency) - Outside the Order of Precedence, and C-295 An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (recent graduates working in a designated region) - made to second reading in the House of Commons.

Members

Kelly DeRidder (Kitchener Centre, Ontario)

Conservative Party of Canada

• Elected as the Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre in April 2025.
• Prior to entering politics, MP DeRidder was a professor at Conestoga College and project manager for Rockwell Automation.

Vincent Neil Ho (Richmond Hill South, Ontario)

Conservative Party of Canada

• First elected as the Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill South in April 2025.
• Prior to being elected, MP Neil Ho worked as a corporate lawyer, advising Canadian and international business clients on regulatory compliance and transactional matter.

Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault (Madawaska—Restigouche, New Brunswick)

Liberal Party of Canada

• Deschênes-Thériault grew up in Kedgwick, New Brunswick.
• He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the Université de Moncton and a master's degree in Canadian Politics from the University of Ottawa. He has completed doctoral studies at the University of Ottawa and is currently finalizing his doctoral thesis.
• During his undergraduate studies, he emerged as a leading figure in New Brunswick's protest movement opposing the federal Employment Insurance reforms introduced by the Harper government.
• Prior to entering federal politics, Deschênes-Thériault worked as a research associate at the Sociopol research firm, specializing in Canadian francophonie. He has led and contributed to numerous projects for federal and provincial governments, as well as community organizations across Canada.
• Deschênes-Thériault also has a strong background in communications and public affairs. He was a columnist for Francopresse for nearly two years, with his political analysis regularly published in French-language newspapers nationwide, and he is known locally for his weekly political commentary on FM Route 17 radio.

Jagsharan Singh Mahal (Edmonton Southeast, Alberta)

Conservative Party of Canada

• First elected as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Southeast in April 2025.
• Prior to being elected, MP Singh Mahal worked as a lawyer for 12 years.

Jennifer McKelvie (Ajax, Ontario)

Liberal Party of Canada

• First elected as the Member of Parliament for Ajax in April 2025.
• Prior to entering federal politics, MP McKelvie was the Deputy Mayor of Toronto (Nov 2022 – May 2025), and the Toronto city councillor for Ward 25 Scarborough—Rouge Park (Dec 2018 – May 2025).
• She previously worked as an environmental geoscientist and holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Toronto Scarborough and a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Toronto in geology.

Taleeb Noormohamed (Vancouver Granville, British Columbia)

Liberal Party of Canada

• First elected as the Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville in 2021 and re-elected in April 2025.
• MP Noormohamed is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation (June 2025 – present). He previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sept 2023 – Feb 2025) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs (Canada-U.S.) (Feb 2025 – Mar 2025).
• He has previously served on a number of committees, including the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC) and the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (REGS).
• Prior to his election, he held senior executive roles in with a number of technology firms including Farfetch and VRBO.

Aslam Rana (Hamilton Centre, Ontario)

Liberal Party of Canada

• First elected as the Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre in April 2025.
• Prior to his election, he worked in Civil Engineering for the City of Toronto. He holds both a Master and Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering.
• MP Rana stated that he would focus on housing and infrastructure in Hamilton Centre, drawing on his engineering background.

Summaries of previous meetings on current SRSR study on Governance and Accountability of Federal Science Policy and Institutions

February 23, 2026

Witnesses

Panel 1

• Arif Babul
• Azim Shariff
• Dr. Ivan Oransky (Center for Scientific Integrity)

Panel 2

• Frédéric Bouchard (Université de Montréal)
• Anna Triandafyllidou (Toronto Metropolitan University)
• Martin Maltais (Acfas)
• Sophie Montreuil (Acfas)

Summary

This was the first meeting of the Committee's study on governance and accountability in federal science policy. Members focused on politicization; equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research funding; oversight models; funding levels; science in French and the delayed creation of the Capstone Agency.

Questions on EDI and appointments signaled a focus on legitimacy, merit, and public trust in science institutions.

Key points

• Members questioned whether EDI requirements in research funding affect perceptions of merit and institutional trust. Concerns were raised about potential impacts on fairness, talent pools, personnel supports, and coordination across programs.
• Discussion were had on whether an independent oversight body for federal science policy should be established to strengthen accountability and reduce politicization. Comparisons were made to models such as the Auditor General.
• It was noted that federal research funding has declined in real-dollar terms over the past 20 years. Members also questioned whether existing self-regulation mechanisms are sufficient for overseeing major public investments.
• Attention was given to delays in establishing the Capstone Agency. Members asked what its core objectives should be and how to ensure it is protected from political influence at launch.
• Acfas emphasized that there is no structured mechanism to evaluate federal support for research in French. They noted that 23% of Canadians are francophone and referenced proposals to allocate up to 25% of funding to French-language research. It was suggested that governance mechanisms supporting science in French could be embedded within Capstone from the outset.
• Trust in science remains relatively high in Canada, though witnesses noted a partisan gap. The U.S. was cited as a cautionary example of politicization.

February 26, 2026

Witnesses

Panel 1

• Sheila Jasanoff, Pforzheimer Professor of Science and Technology Studies, Harvard University
• Martin Normand, President and Chief Executive Officer, Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne
• Dugan O'Neil, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Simon Fraser University

Panel 2

• Committee Business

Summary

This meeting continued the Committee's study on governance and accountability in federal science policy.

A focus of questioning was whether Canada is doing enough to keep intellectual property, capital, and companies in Canada. Members raised concerns that publicly funded research often leads to patents, data, and firms that are later sold, moved, or scaled abroad.

Witnesses agreed that Canada produces strong research but struggles to scale companies domestically. Discussion focused on how to create the right conditions, including venture capital, infrastructure, and incentives, so economic benefits remain in Canada.

Other themes included data sovereignty, differences between Canadian and United States commercialization systems, science in French, and how to balance scientific independence with democratic accountability.

Key points

• Members questioned whether federal research funding should be more directly tied to ensuring economic benefits remain in Canada.
• Concerns were raised about foreign partnerships and whether Canadian funded research supports IP that leaves the country.
• Witnesses stressed the need to make Canadian technology and companies more likely to scale and remain headquartered in Canada.
• Discussion highlighted structural differences with the United States, including venture capital culture and past commercialization policies.
• Members asked how to better protect Canadian data and strengthen technological sovereignty.
• It was noted that while infrastructure for French language research exists, there are gaps in accountability, implementation, and data measurement.
• On science governance, witnesses emphasized transparency, public education, and clear policy direction.

NRC Renewal and Consolidation of Facilities at M-55

• The Government of Canada is committed to managing public funds responsibly and transparently.
• The M-55 Office Consolidation Project will centralize more than 900 employees on the NRC's Montreal Road campus in Ottawa into a single building. Once completed, it will allow the NRC to divest 3 other buildings on the Montreal Road campus which are nearing the end of their life cycle.
• M-55 was built in 1974 and is in need of refurbishment. Renovating the NRC's M-55 building will realize operational efficiencies, address accessibility and inclusivity barriers and ultimately achieve maintenance savings.
• This project will result in savings of approximately $1.5 million a year in operational and maintenance costs; lower the NRC's carbon dioxide emissions by close to 500 tonnes annually; and reduce the NRC's footprint by 4%.

Supplementary Messages

• The NRC's approach to consolidating its facilities is focused on practicality and guided by responsible use of public funds. The design phase for the M-55 building is still in progress.
• M-55 was originally built in 1974 to house library collections. Because of its age and the reduced need to house books, the building is in need of refurbishment and retrofit. The renovations will add office space, address accessibility and inclusivity barriers, improve energy efficiency and, ultimately, reduce operations and maintenance costs.

National Research Council of Canada (NRC) rooftop collaboration space located in Mississauga, Ontario

Key Messages

• The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is committed to managing public funds responsibly and transparently.

• Together with industry, academic, and other government department partners, the NRC advanced materials research facility in Mississauga, Ontario, aims to accelerate the development of advanced materials technologies and commercialize them into innovative new products.

  Examples include:

  1. Recycling rare earth magnets from end-of-life electronics into advanced powders for high-performance electrical components used in technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines.
  2. AI-enabled "self-driving laboratories" that can discover and test new battery materials up to 10–100 times faster than traditional laboratory methods, helping strengthen Canada's battery supply chain.
  3. Artificial intelligence and automated laboratories used with university partners to develop new materials for carbon capture technologies that support emissions reduction.
• In line with standard procedure, the NRC posted an open call for proposals to procure furniture for the rooftop collaboration space at the facility through Public Services and Procurement Canada's CanadaBuys Portal.
• The competitive process selected the lowest evaluated price.

Supplementary Messages

• The NRC spent $61,328.85 on seating and other modular furniture for the rooftop collaboration space.
• Any weather resistant material was acceptable for the bid as these products would be exposed to outdoor elements, such as rain, high winds and UV radiation.
• The NRC purchased durable furniture products manufactured in Québec, which were made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
• The rooftop collaboration space was designed and constructed by PSPC as part of the facility's development and is used to support collaboration, including meetings with industry.

If pressed on the "splash pad"

• Any reference to "splash pad" within the tender documents is referring to a requirement to include a patio stone at the exit of all roof top drain down spouts to avoid excessive splashing. No recreational facilities are or have been part of the proposal.

If pressed on "trellis"

A trellis is a structure designed to provide partial shade from the sun while allowing for the wind to pass through so it is not blown from the building.

Comprehensive Expenditure Review, National Research Council of Canada (NRC)

Key Messages

• The National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) commitment to research and innovation remains steadfast. The organization is investing in key national priorities, such as defence industrialization, clean and sustainable technologies, health and life sciences and digital and quantum technologies – areas where Canada has world-leading capabilities.
• Similar to other departments, the NRC is required to find 15% savings over 3 years and ongoing as part of the government-wide Comprehensive Expenditure Review.
• The NRC is focusing on the most relevant and impactful activities, making choices across capabilities to sustain a high level of research excellence, realigning its portfolio with its strategic plan, and supporting more effective service delivery.

Supplementary Messages

• The NRC is committed to fostering collaboration and supporting Canada's innovation ecosystem.
• As part of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review, the NRC will reduce its portfolio of transfer payments for grants and contributions and make adjustments to funding available for various program streams. The NRC's focus will be on projects and partnerships that strengthen Canada's competitiveness, enhance productivity and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
• By streamlining programs and aligning resources with its strategic plan, the NRC will ensure support continues to drive meaningful outcomes for Canadians and Canadian businesses.
• The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is a key program that supports innovative Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The government announced an additional $244 million for NRC IRAP Defence Industry Assist for dual-use technology development, which will see NRC IRAP's budget increased over 3 fiscal years through to 2027-2028.
• The NRC continues to partner with leading Canadian research organizations and academic institutions to advance innovation that benefits Canadians.

About workforce adjustment

• To achieve the NRC's proposed savings while minimizing impacts on employees to the extent possible, management proactively implemented measures such as attrition and hiring freezes.
• Despite sustained efforts to minimize impacts on workforce, including careful staffing controls and thoughtful planning, the NRC will not be able to achieve all reduction targets through attrition alone.
• In total, 510 positions will be impacted by the end of fiscal year 2026-2027 and workforce adjustment measures have been implemented across the organization. The NRC will also reduce its executive ranks by 12% (28 positions) over the same period.
• These decisions were guided by the NRC's strategic plan and national priorities.
• As an agency and a separate employer, the NRC operates under distinct legislative authorities and its own policy frameworks that differ from those of the core public administration. To attain the NRC's reduction targets and realign its activities, the NRC will proceed with workforce adjustment exercises in a phased approach. While moving through this period of uncertainty as soon as possible is important, the NRC must ensure a smooth wind-down of operations and delivery on its commitments. The NRC is also seeking to minimize involuntary job loss by realizing attrition via the Early Retirement Incentive program anticipated in 2026.