Senator Kutcher: With all due respect, Senator Gold, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program is not funding post-doctoral students, master’s students and PhD students. Given the importance of keeping these positions in Canada, and the fact that these positions are well below the current poverty line — so we have our best and brightest people struggling below the poverty line — will the government reconsider what it overlooked in the 2023 budget, and increase funding to these valuable contributors to the Canadian economy in the fall economic update?

Senator Kutcher: With all due respect, Senator Gold, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program is not funding post-doctoral students, master’s students and PhD students. Given the importance of keeping these positions in Canada, and the fact that these positions are well below the current poverty line — so we have our best and brightest people struggling below the poverty line — will the government reconsider what it overlooked in the 2023 budget, and increase funding to these valuable contributors to the Canadian economy in the fall economic update?

Hon. Stan Kutcher: That’s a hard act to follow. Honourable senators, in 1976, following summer storms that greatly impacted the inshore fishery of northern Cape Breton, singer-songwriter Allister MacGillivray composed the song “Sea People.” The chorus aptly describes the connection and tenacity of the people of Nova Scotia:

They are sea people, the pride of the land, strong of the spirit and rough of the hand.

Over the past week, Nova Scotians have again banded together in the face of devastation and heartbreak. The unprecedented wildfires add to the list of adversities experienced over the last several years that have both caused great anguish and pulled our communities together. Unfortunately, we know there will be more challenges to come with climate change and the unpredictable nature of the world we live in.

I know you all share my sentiments of support and compassion for all those dealing with the impacts of this early and record‑‑breaking wildfire season across our country. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost their homes, beloved pets, businesses that were centres of communities and with the firefighters who continually put themselves in harm’s way. We thank all the emergency response teams who are working tirelessly to address the threats the fires cause to our lives, health and economy.

In times of challenge, the people of Nova Scotia stand together through collective action, resilience and support of each other. It is human connection that improves the human condition. These connections will aid adaptation as communities rebuild.

As parliamentarians, we need to consider how we aid adaptation through climate-responsive policies, building codes and emergency response plans. We can use these times of challenge to take agency in our own responses through community building, fundraising and making changes in our lives that address climate change. It is also a time to talk to children and youth about their own agency to empower their voices and actions to ensure we are leaving them a better world than the one that we continue to damage today.

Colleagues, Mother Nature is speaking to us and we must listen. We have ignored the science at our peril.

Again, my thoughts are with those facing displacement and loss from coast to coast to coast. Please join me in a heartfelt thanks to all responders from Canada and those who have travelled from other countries to assist, fight and manage these fires. For my home province forever, “Nova Scotia Strong.” Thank you.

Hon. Stan Kutcher: My question is for Senator Gold. Graduate, trainee and post-doctoral programs are the apprenticeship positions in higher education that build the innovators and scientists of our future research and development and economic systems. Merit-based government-funded grants and scholarships level the playing field to allow access to those programs for everyone — and not only the privileged few.

Senator Gold, does the government realize the importance of these programs for the Canadian research ecosystem and the thriving of the future economy?