Génome Québec receives $30 million, but will have to cut back on its research programs
Posted July 17, 2026 1:44 pm.
On Friday, Quebec announced funding of more than $30 million to enable Génome Québec to continue its research and innovation activities. However, this 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) has truly done everything possible to support us,” said Josette-Renée Landry, president and CEO of Génome Québec, 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 little. 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 new 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 the CHU Sainte-Justine. “The potential for the years ahead is immense. Today, we are able to better understand the biological characteristics unique to each individual 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 support 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 center will be able to continue meeting growing demand and provide Quebec researchers with access to world-class infrastructure.”
Another lesser-known aspect of genomics is that it helps protect ecosystems, Landry noted. “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 Génome Québec’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 stated during a press briefing. “[…] There is a lot of competition right now, both in Canada and internationally, and we must continue to set ourselves apart. And that is why the government will always continue to make these investments, no matter what.”
Concretely, the Quebec government is providing a $28.5 million grant to Génome Québec for the period from 2026 to 2029. In addition, it is allocating $1.8 million to help the Center of Expertise and Services acquire state-of-the-art technological equipment.
“In the current international context, this capacity is essential,” Landry emphasized. “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 labor.”
—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.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
