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Société et culture
Santé
Nature et technologies
THE IMPORTANCE Chief scientist
of Québec’s Report
OF SCIENCE DURING
A PANDEMIC 2019-2020
Spring 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic hits Québec. Much of the economy is put on
Scientific missions
hold. Lockdown, telework, school closures, hospitalizations, deaths… Faced with a
and agreements
health crisis of this magnitude, the scientific community is mobilized. International
collaborations proliferate in open science mode to fight the coronavirus – the world’s
number one enemy – and quickly develop treatments and vaccines. Québec is very Conferences and public affairs
present and highly dynamic in this scientific “war effort” against COVID-19. For many
years, it has been able to rely on a high-performance public and private research eco-
system, solid expertise, and leading-edge research centers and laboratories that have Intersectoral project
established fruitful scientific collaborations. development
There is a great deal of public concern about COVID-19, as little is known about this
new invisible enemy. The media call on scientists to explain the many facets of the Promoting research
pandemic. At the same time, there is an “epidemic” of misinformation and fake
news, especially on social media. More than ever, the scientific community and science
journalists are engaging with the public to convey the latest research knowledge and
set the record straight.
Science advice to governments is at work around the world. In Québec, as Chief
scientist, my advisory role to the Minister of the Economy and Innovation in matters
of research and innovation is extended to other cabinets, particularly those of the
Premier and the Minister of Health and Social Services. During a pandemic, science is
particularly relevant in informing the decisions of authorities.
It is often said that the past is an indication of the future. The support for fundamental
research provided by the Québec and Canadian governments for decades makes it
possible for us to face this crisis today with greater confidence and assurance, despite
the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding it. Solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic and
other similar threats rely heavily on science. Science that is flexible and responds quick-
ly to needs, whether in the areas of public health, therapeutic approaches, antiviral
treatments or vaccines, medical technologies, the psychosocial impact on seniors,
education, or work organization.
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt in the coming months and
years. Québec will need research and social innovation in science and engineering, as
well as in health, to recover from this unprecedented crisis.
Rémi Quirion, OC, CQ, PhD, FRSC
Chief scientist of Québec
BACKGROUND KEY
ACHIEVEMENTS
The fourth year of my second mandate was marked by the COVID-19 QUÉBEC COVID-19
pandemic, which disrupted the activities of my office and those of BIOBANK
the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ). Some were postponed or In the wake of initiatives put forward to find solu-
tions to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 26,
cancelled, while many new activities were added.
2020, the FRQ and Génome Québec tasked a
group of researchers with setting up a Québec
Despite this major health crisis, the delivery of services by the FRQ to COVID-19 Biobank. This infrastructure will enable
the research community has remained relatively unchanged. In mid- the collection, storage and analysis of samples
March, the staff of the Québec and Montréal offices quickly and ef- and data required for the study of COVID-19, in
ficiently switched to teleworking mode. March and April are a very addition to catalyzing and facilitating research
collaborations in Québec, nationally and inter-
busy time for the FRQ, particularly with the announcement of funding
nationally.
awarded under the previous fall’s competitions. Overall, everything
went smoothly. The launch of the Fall 2020 competitions took place
in July, as usual. The teams showed great flexibility, adaptability and
resilience in supporting the research community in a professional man-
ner during this difficult time.
In the face of this crisis, my interactions with government author-
ities, including the Premier’s office, the Ministry of Health and Social
Services, Québec’s public health department, the Ministry of Economy QUÉBEC COVID – PANDEMIC
and Innovation, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, NETWORK
increased and were aimed at managing the many priorities related to With a view to bringing together and focusing
the pandemic. energies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,
on April 2, 2020 the FRQ created the Québec
COVID – Pandemic Network. This entity is in-
Within the first few weeks, the FRQ began launching new initiatives.
tended to provide a space for close collaboration
Three of these are worth noting: the creation of the FRQ-MEI-MSSS to coordinate research efforts, prioritize actions,
committee, the creation of the Québec COVID-19 Biobank, and the and accelerate discoveries and their applications
establishment of the Québec COVID – Pandemic Network. for SARS-CoV-2, while encouraging the inter-
sectoral sharing of knowledge.
In addition to these provincial initiatives, I participated in the pan-
BETTER SUPPORT
Canadian coordination committee CanCOVID, under the auspices
THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY
of Health Canada, as well as a UNESCO ministerial round table on In addition to deploying structuring initiatives
COVID-19 and open science. aimed at uniting scientific efforts in Québec
around COVID-19, the FRQ have implemented
The pandemic has raised many questions among the general public, a series of measures to better support members
which has led me to increase my presence on radio, television, print of the research community during this unpreced-
ented crisis period. A year of additional funding
and social media to explain various aspects related to the health crisis:
was granted to all centres, institutes and stra-
the virus and its mechanisms of action, vaccine and treatment de- tegic clusters funded by the FRQ. Funding for
velopment, the importance of science and the voice of scientists in the an additional semester was also provided for
current context, and ways to counter fake news and disinformation. students who were to complete their program
These efforts have led to an increase in the number of subscribers to in the summer of 2020. Furthermore, there will
my social media accounts. be greater flexibility in the evaluation of schol-
arship and grant applications for the Fall 2020
competitions, by taking into account the impacts
The fifth year of my second mandate comes at a time when Québec,
of the pandemic on the productivity of research-
like other parts of the world, is developing a post-pandemic economic ers, students and postdoctoral fellows.
recovery plan in which research is certain to have an important role
to play.
4 CHIEF SCIENTIST OF QUÉBEC’S REPORT 2019-2020
ACTIONS TO PROMOTE EDI influence of unconscious bias in evalua- level in certain situations (serious health
The FRQ continued their actions to en- tion. A statement on EDI was added to reasons, disability, major family obliga-
courage equity, diversity and inclusion the Common General Rules as well as to tions). Finally, they added EDI expertise to
(EDI) within the scientific community. the majority of FRQ program rules. The the skills sought on their boards of direc-
Thus, as in previous years, individuals in- Fonds also amended the rules of their tors. Further initiatives will be introduced
volved in the FRQ’s peer review process postdoctoral fellowship programs in or- in 2020-2021, including the revision of
were encouraged to take a short online der to offer the possibility of staying in the the evaluation criteria for the master’s and
training course aimed at reducing the same host environment as at the doctoral doctoral scholarship programs.
Scientific missions and agreements
MISSION OF PALESTINIAN 24, 2019. The event brought together that fund research and innovation in Ger-
UNIVERSITY RECTORS TO QUÉBEC more than 900 participants. In addition, many, specifically in Munich, Berlin, Bonn
From October 8 to 11, 2019, the Chief Dr. Quirion took part in a round table on and Cologne. Together they discussed the
scientist of Québec received a visit from the theme of innovation and development implementation of joint research programs
the Palestinian Minister of Education and and signed a collaborative agreement be- funded by the Helmholtz Community and
President of the Palestinian Academy for tween the FRQ and Colciencias, Colom- the FRQ, along with the Federal Ministry
Science and Technology (PALAST), Profes- bia’s primary research funding agency. for Education and Research and the Ger-
sor Marwan Awartani, accompanied by man Research Council.
Palestinian university representatives. The PRESENTATION AT THE FRENCH
goal of this meeting was to encourage col- NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FRQ MISSION TO OTTAWA
laboration between Québec and Palestine On November 28, 2019, as part of a pub- On February 18 and 19, 2020, the Chief
by facilitating the development of joint re- lic hearing held during a session of the scientist of Québec, accompanied by FRQ
search programs. As a reminder, in May French National Assembly’s Parliament- directors, met with senior management
2017, the FRQ and PALAST signed a four- ary Office for Evaluation of Scientific and from a dozen Canadian research organ-
year research collaboration agreement to Technological Options (OPECST), Rémi izations during a mission to Ottawa. The
set up a program in Québec universities Quirion had the opportunity to speak main objective was to strengthen mutual
to host researchers from Palestinian uni- about Québec’s chief scientist model. This ties and explore avenues for collaboration
versities. model can be summed up in three words: for the coming years, whether in terms of
resilience, trust, and availability. research programs and initiatives, support
CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAS for the scientific community, Science and
ON INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION MISSION TO GERMANY Society initiatives, information exchanges,
The Chief scientist of Québec was a guest From January 20 to 24, 2020, Rémi Quirion or best practices is scientific management
speaker at the Conference of the Amer- attended several high-level meetings with and evaluation.
icas on International Education, held in government ministers and representatives
Bogota, Colombia from October 22 to from regional and national organizations
Conferences and public affairs
CELEBRATING THE ROUND TABLES AT
40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRQSC THE ANNUAL CSPC CONFERENCE
2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the On November 14 and 15, 2019, at the
Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société annual Canadian Science Policy Centre
et culture (FRQSC). To pay tribute to the (CSPC) Conference, Rémi Quirion was in-
people who contributed to its develop- vited to take part in two round tables to
ment, to thank its partners, and to rec- speak about the role and involvement of
ognize the extraordinary contribution of the next generation in science diplomacy,
its research community, an anniversary and the challenges facing scientists in the
evening was held at the Musée national public sphere.
des beaux-arts du Québec on September
10, 2019, with the participation of the
Chief scientist of Québec, who chairs the The Chief scientist of Québec at the CSPC Annual Conference with Madison Rilling,
FRQSC’s Board of Directors. former member of the FRQ Intersectoral Student Committee. z
CHIEF SCIENTIST OF QUÉBEC’S REPORT 2019-2020 5
Rémi Quirion during the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting.
PREPARATIONS FOR The creation of world-class innovation tion in Digital Health – Opportunities and
THE 4th INGSA CONFERENCE zones – geographic areas where research, Barriers which also took place on January
As part of his mandate to provide science innovation, industry and entrepreneurial 29, 2020. The event’s themes included
advice and develop the international in- stakeholders collaborate in sectors of international collaborations for innovation
fluence of Québec research, the Chief activity – is at the heart of the Québec on the theme of Healthy Aging.
scientist of Québec is an active member Government’s economic vision. The event
of the International Network for Govern- brought together almost 200 knowledge PARTICIPATION IN
ment Science Advice (INGSA). Originally stakeholders and 150 major companies THE AAAS ANNUAL MEETING
scheduled to take place in Montréal in and other partners from the business and At the Annual Meeting of the American
September 2020, the 4th international municipal communities. Political repre- Association for the Advancement of Sci-
conference on science advice to govern- sentatives were also present, including ence (AAAS), which took place from Feb-
ments was postponed due to the pan- the Minister of the Economy and Innov- ruary 13 to 16, 2020 in Seattle, the Chief
demic. The event, which is now scheduled ation, Pierre Fitzgibbon, and the Minister scientist of Québec moderated a round
to take place from August 31 to Septem- of Education and Higher Education, Jean- table discussion on urban resilience and
ber 1, 2021 at the Palais des congrès de François Roberge. climate change. Rémi Quirion emphasized
Montréal, will be hosted by Rémi Quirion. the role of researchers, who bring facts
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: and evidence to inform decision mak-
FORUM ON INNOVATION ZONES RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION ing, shining a spotlight on the FRQ and
On January 29, 2020, the Chief scientist IN DIGITAL HEALTH 2020 Québec in general.
of Québec took part in a day of meetings In a pre-recorded video, Rémi Quirion
and discussions on innovation zones fo- delivered opening remarks at the Inter-
cused on the theme From Idea to Market. national Symposium: Responsible Innova-
Intersectoral project development
LAUNCH OF THE FRQ-IIASA LAUNCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL and the Luxembourg National Research
PROGRAM QUÉBEC-LUXEMBOURG AUDACE Fund are seeking to stimulate risk-taking
On January 14, 2020, the FRQ and the PROGRAM and provide researchers in both regions
International Institute for Applied Sys- Convinced that mobilizing the scientific with favourable conditions for initiating
tems Analysis (IIASA) launched a call for community from all research sectors will projects with a high level of risk and the
proposals for their postdoctoral research open up new research perspectives, and potential for high impacts, be they sci-
fellowship program, developed to foster to promote collaboration between re- entific, social, economic, technological,
the mobility of young researchers towards searchers in Québec and Luxembourg, cultural or aesthetic.
stimulating and dynamic research environ- a new call for projects was announced
ments such as the IIASA. on June 9, 2020 as part of the AUDACE
program. With this joint initiative, the FRQ
6 CHIEF SCIENTIST OF QUÉBEC’S REPORT 2019-2020
STRUCTURING INITIATIVES sleep in older adults, intelligent housing, munity – professors, lecturers, students,
FOR RESEARCH ON AGING social participation and social isolation management – along with senior officials
In order to encourage the Québec re- of seniors, mobility, and the biomarkers and a member from the entrepreneurial
search community to study aging from of aging and dementia. Although these community, whose mandate is to examine
a perspective that focuses more on its projects are in their early stages, they are the requirements of the Québec university
complex and multidimensional nature, already generating a great deal of inter- of the future. Despite the COVID-19 situ-
and less on the deteriorating health of est among people who work with sen- ation, 12 meetings were held throughout
older people, the FRQ launched a first call iors. A second call for projects should be the year, providing input for the writing
for projects in 2019-2020 under the fund- launched in 2020-2021. of a report. This document was sent to
ing platform for intersectoral research on the Minister of Higher Education, Danielle
aging, which has three components: AU- WORKING GROUP ON THE QUÉBEC McCann, in September 2020 and is avail-
DACE, Living Lab, and Cohort. The fund- UNIVERSITY OF THE FUTURE able for public consultation. It will be the
ed teams were announced in the summer Since September 2019, Rémi Quirion has subject of a wide-ranging debate during
of 2019. The themes addressed in these led a working group made up of mem- a day of discussion in the fall of 2020.
innovative research projects included bers from all sectors of the university com-
Promoting research
SCIENCE EVENTS AT THE QUÉBEC et des technologies. The two scientists CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY spoke about the importance of separat- OF THE CHERCHEUR-E D’UN JOUR
The series of meetings at the Québec Na- ing false news from scientific information PROGRAM
tional Assembly, held by the Chief scientist in today’s context of proliferating sources Funded by the Fonds de recherche du
of Québec to show MNAs, chiefs of staff of information on social media and other Québec – Santé, the Chercheur-e d’un
and deputy ministers the extent of the sci- digital platforms. Two months later, on jour program has, since its launch, helped
entific expertise available to them through November 20, 2019, as part of a 5 à 7 nearly 5,000 Secondary 4 and 5 students
research, continued this year. Taking the event at the National Assembly library, ÉTS and their teachers or guidance counsel-
form of a breakfast at Le Parlementaire research professor Kaiwen Zhang and Uni- lors learn about the research profession
restaurant, the September 18, 2019 versité Laval research professor Charlaine by spending a day in an active research
meeting featured Colette Brin, a research Bouchard demystified blockchains, the laboratory. On November 20, 2019, Rémi
professor at Université Laval and director technology behind Bitcoin, which revo- Quirion marked the program’s 20th an-
of the Centre d’études sur les médias, lutionized information storage and data niversary, congratulating Dr. Michel G.
and Yves Gingras, a research professor security. Bergeron and his team at the CHU de
at Université du Québec à Montréal and Québec – Université Laval Infectious Dis-
director of the Observatoire des sciences ease Research Centre, who created the
program in 1998.
z Rémi Quirion with Charlaine Bouchard and Kaiwen Zhang z Happy celebration for the 20 years of the Chercheur-e d’un jour
during the activity at the Québec National Assembly. program.
CHIEF SCIENTIST OF QUÉBEC’S REPORT 2019-2020 7
Media presence
The COVID-19 pandemic thrust the Chief scientist
of Québec into the media limelight, giving him
opportunities to discuss the health crisis and the
progress of research on the subject. Of particular
Team winner of the Scientific Collaboration Award, presented at the IAPQ Annual Congress. note were his interview on Salut Bonjour on April
1, 2020, followed by his participation in La se-
maine des 4 Julie on April 2, culminating in his
IAPQ ANNUAL CONFERENCE APÉRO SCIENCES:
appearance on the popular show Tout le monde
AND SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION NEWS FROM THE SCIENTIFIC FRONT
en parle on April 4.
PRIZE At a time when scientists around the world
On November 22, 2019, in the presence of are working day and night and stepping In addition, Rémi Quirion spoke on Ici Première
Christian Dubé, then Minister Responsible up collaborations to combat COVID-19, and QUB Radio. He also wrote or co-wrote sev-
for Government Administration and Presi- Rémi Quirion reviewed this recent flurry eral opinion pieces in La Presse, Le Devoir and
dent of the Treasury Board, Rémi Quirion of research activity during an online dis- Le Soleil, highlighting the importance of science
congratulated the winning team and the cussion on May 12, 2020 with Nathalie and scientific research in the fight against the
two finalist teams for the Institut d’ad- Grandvaux, professor in the Department pandemic, and warning the public against an-
ministration publique de Québec (IAPQ) of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at other type of epidemic: misinformation.
Scientific Collaboration prize. Created in Université de Montréal, researcher at the
This increased media presence has led to a steady
collaboration with the FRQ, this prize is CHUM research centre and co-director of
flow of social media publications and the growth
awarded to a team that has contributed the Québec COVID – Pandemic Network;
of his Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn commun-
to a project with a significant impact on and Hugo Soudeyns, director of the De-
ities.
public programs and policies and on the partment of Microbiology, Infectiology
Québec population through the produc- and Immunology in the Faculty of Medi-
tion, collection and use of scientific know- cine at Université de Montréal and head
ledge and information. of the Infectious Diseases and Acute Care
research axis at CHU Sainte-Justine. This
DES OISEAUX À LA MAISON activity was organized in partnership with
BIRDWATCHING PROGRAM UQAM’s Cœur des sciences and the FRQ.
On April 3, 2020, the Chief scientist of
Québec and QuébecOiseaux announced WORKS OF ART ON COVID-19
the launch of the Des oiseaux à la maison INSPIRED BY SCIENCE
birdwatching program, with the support Initially relegated to the domain of sci-
of the FRQ. This popular program invited ence, COVID-19 has become an everyday
Quebecers of all ages to learn about local object, an object that raises profound
birds while contributing to a participa- questions, to the point where artists have
tory science activity during the isolation appropriated it in a movement known as
measures related to the COVID-19 pan- “#covidart”. This led to the launch by the
demic. The invitation was accepted by 800 FRQ, on June 25, 2020, of a call for pro-
people, who observed 180 bird species posals to municipalities and art centres for
from their homes! the production of urban #covidart. These
works of art inspired by science will leave
a lasting mark on the urban landscape for
several years, reflecting this historic period
for Québec society.
scientifique-en-chef.gouv.qc.ca/en/ @SciChefQC
Fonds de recherche du Québec
500 Sherbrooke St. West, suite 800 140 Grande Allée East, 4th floor
Montréal (Québec) H3A 3C6 Québec (Québec) G1R 5M8
514 873-2114 418 643-8560 or 418 643-7582
ISBN Printed version: 978-2-550-87798-1 PDF version: 978-2-550-87799-8You can also read
