Comment from the Alliance

[Ches Skinner]

> Reform/Alliance MP Ted White (member for Lynn Valley, North Vancouver)

recently wrote this in response to a letter from a UBC professor:
>
> "Although I do not question that some of the research funded by the
> SSHRC has been quite constructive and forward-looking, I also know
that
> much of it is not. For example, I cannot conceive of any way in which
> research in the fields of fine arts, classical studies, philosophy,
> anthropology, modern languages and literature, or medieval studies,
which
> together accounted for over $5.3 million in grants from SSHRC in the
> last fiscal year, contributes to any 'understanding of Canadian
society
> or the challenges we face as we enter the 21st century.' Research into

> such fields, as far as my constituents are concerned, constitutes a
> personal past-time, and has no benefit to Canadian taxpayers. As their

> representative, I cannot justify funding such activities with their
tax
> dollars."