The Liberal government has appointed Nancy Déziel as the new Chair of the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Board of Directors. The announcement was made by Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne last Friday. Déziel will serve a three-year term effective September 20, 2024.
The CFI, an independent organization created in 1997, plays a crucial role in supporting advanced research infrastructure across Canadian institutions. It provides funding for state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, aiming to enhance the country’s research capabilities.
Minister Champagne praised Déziel’s extensive experience in the science and research sectors, highlighting her 30-year career with the College Centres for the Transfer of Technologies and her previous membership on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
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However, the appointment has not been without controversy. Déziel is married to Bloc Québécois (BQ) Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet and her appointment gains additional significance in light of the recent collapse of the confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberals and the New Democratic Party (NDP).
The dissolution of this partnership, which had provided stability to the Liberal government, now leaves Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration potentially reliant on support from the BQ to avoid an early election.
The Liberals’ growing need to curry favor with the BQ doesn’t look like it will sit well with Canadians. A new Leger poll found that nearly half of Canadians are uncomfortable with the idea of the Trudeau government accommodating the Bloc Québécois, while 64% oppose granting Quebec special status regarding language and cultural protections.
“I suspect it’s more that the BQ is Quebec’s party and solely interested in Quebec affairs. Separation as an issue, based on this poll, is not high as an issue of concern,” Andrew Enns, executive vice-president of Leger in Central Canada, explained.
“I think Canadians see this more as the Liberals looking to remain in power.”
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