Genome Quebec granted $30 million, but will have to scale back its research programs

A research assistant demonstrates how to prepare a sample for sequencing at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, England, Friday, on Jan. 7, 2022. (Frank Augstein/The Associated Press)

On Friday, the Quebec government announced more than $30 million in funding to enable Genome Quebec to continue its research and innovation activities.

However, the amount is half the amount the private, nonprofit organization—which funds hundreds of researchers—had hoped for.

“I want to say right off the bat that we understand, given the current economic climate, that the MEIE (Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy) really did everything it could to support us,” said Genome Quebec president and CEO Josette-Renée Landry in an interview.

“But it’s clear that we didn’t receive the level of funding we had hoped for,” she continued. “As a result, there are some of our programs that we usually ran on a biennial basis that we’ll have to scale back a bit. Instead of twice a year, they’ll now be held once a year. We’ll be able to provide less funding for the integration of genomics into user communities and for smaller projects. It will also mean we’ll have to make difficult choices regarding the cutting-edge technologies we want to purchase.”

Genomics enables the study of the entire genetic material of a living organism, whether it is a human, a plant, an animal, or a microorganism.

“Genomics is already transforming the way we understand diseases, make diagnoses, and provide care to the public,” explained Health Minister Sonia Bélanger during a press briefing at CHU Sainte-Justine. “The potential for the years ahead is immense. Today, we are able to better understand the biological characteristics unique to each person and tailor interventions accordingly. In practical terms, this means more accurate, more personalized diagnoses; treatments that are therefore better targeted; and, in some cases, the ability to intervene earlier in the care pathway.

“We are supporting more than 1,000 projects carried out by hundreds of teams from public and private academic institutions,” she added. “Thanks to the acquisition of new, state-of-the-art equipment, the centre will be able to continue meeting growing demand and offer Quebec researchers access to world-class infrastructure.”

Another lesser-known aspect of genomics is that it helps protect ecosystems, Landry said.

“Supporting more resilient agriculture, improving our ability to monitor pathogens, and developing a competitive bioeconomy,” she listed. “Genomics is therefore no longer just a research discipline. It has become a strategic infrastructure for our society and our economy.”

Daniel Bernard, Minister Delegate for the Economy and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, highlighted Genome Quebec’s 25th anniversary.

“Our government reaffirms its commitment to further stimulate research and innovation in fields of the future, such as genomics and the life sciences,” he said at a press briefing. “There is a lot of competition right now, both within Canada and internationally, and we must continue to set ourselves apart. That is why the government will always continue to make these investments, no matter what.”

Specifically, the Government of Quebec is awarding a $28.5 million grant to Genome Quebec for the period from 2026 to 2029. It is also providing an additional $1.8 million to help the Centre of Expertise and Services acquire state-of-the-art technological equipment.

“In the current international context, this capacity is essential,” said Landry. “Preserving our infrastructure, our data, our talent, and our knowledge is a matter of scientific, economic, and strategic autonomy. This investment helps consolidate expertise that has been patiently developed over the past few decades. It also reminds us that needs continue to grow, as do the costs of technology, infrastructure, and highly skilled labour.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 17, 2026.

The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content.