A personal and unshared story about science funding in Canada: In 2010, my Dad took early “retirement” from his academic position at the University of Guelph, in part to make room for the next generation 1/12

He was first awarded @NSERC_CRSNG funding in 1979 and was an active researcher and world leader in his small field for his entire career. He mentored countless students and colleagues 2/12

Dad loved science, he never complained about research and was grateful for every day he got to spend studying his wee beasties (ciliated protozoa) 3/12

After retirement, Mom and Dad moved West and Dad was given an Adjunct Professor position at @UBC. He renewed his @NSERC_CRSNG grant and continued his research, full time, on the Wet Coast 4/12

The last 5 years of my Dad’s life were the most productive of his long career, publishing more papers than any other time in his career. He continued to mentor both students and faculty 5/12

In 2017, Dad applied for an @NSERC_CRSNG renewal, he requested $25k/year. This would be his last grant and would allow him a modest sum to fund his work and supervise undergraduates. After almost 40 years of continual funding, reviewers decided that he was not worthy 6/12

This unfortunate news was devastating to him. Dad did not let it get him down for too long and decided he would find other ways to “fund” his ability to collect and research ciliates. 7/12

He was invited to a BioBlitz on Calvert Island hosted by the @HakaiInstitute. He stayed with us the night before he left for Calvert in June 2018. That evening he told me that these events would be how he’d have to fund his work going forward 8/12

We wished him a safe collecting trip and said goodbye. Dad died 4 days later collecting ciliates on the isolated west coast of BC when he was hit by a rogue wave in conditions that he should not have been out collecting in 9/12

Would Dad be alive if he had been funded? Likely, but who knows. One thing is certain, Canadian scientists can make many more contributions towards generating new knowledge that will make the world a better place. This will require government trust and generous support. 10/12

Since before Dad died, we’ve seen lots of pro-science talk, photo-ops and promises from our government. It is well past time for our government to step-up and make the investment in the future of Canadians and support blue sky, academic research like that my father did 11/12

The 2017 Naylor Fundamental Science Review provided the blueprint. Please #SupportTheReport @JustinTrudeau @FP_Champagne @cafreeland More info on Dad’s accident can be found here: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.4731050/ubc-professor-killed-by-rogue-wave-remembered-as-a-wonderful-person-1.4731053 Please write your MP if you care about science /end