OTTAWA — Efforts to boost Canada’s ability to produce vaccines are among over 100 research projects receiving new federal money.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $518 million Wednesday he says will support the work of nearly 1,000 researchers.
The projects receiving the cash also include ocean sensors to track climate change and setting up a digital archive to house records related to residential schools.
The vaccine-related funding will be directed to the researchers from the Universite Laval-affiliated hospitals in Quebec City.
Their aim is to create a public vaccine production program that will help develop and test vaccines and launch related startup companies.
Frustration that Canada is reliant on foreign manufacturers to access the COVID-19 vaccine has led to calls to boost Canada’s domestic capabilities.