The cornerstone of the Liberals 2021-22 Federal Budget is a promise 30 billion dollars promise to fund a national child care program but it is 50/50 shared cost, so the provinces and territories have to buy in for it to work. The federal budget also includes $59.2-million for the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infections Disease Organization. It is earmarked for the development of vaccine candidates and the expansion of its research facilities, including a National Centre for Pandemic Research.

USask President Peter Stoicheff says this major investment will help Canada address COVID-19 and prepare for future outbreaks. He believes it signals Canada’s recognition of VIDO’s global prominence in vaccine research and development.

Stoicheff says because of this support, along with funding from both the province and the City of Saskatoon, VIDO can begin its work as Canada’s centre for pandemic preparedness. Along with private donors, the province has committed $15-million and the City has allotted $250,000.

Part of the funding will support new animal housing. VIDO is also looking to upgrade areas of its containment level 3-agriculture facility to biosafety level 4. The National Centre for Pandemic Research also includes a biomanufacturing facility which is under construction and expected to be done by this fall.

VIDO Director and CEO, Dr. Volker Gerdts, says they were the first in Canada to isolate the virus that causes COVID-19, the first in Canada to develop an animal model of the disease and the first Canadian university organization to have a COVID-19 vaccine in clinical trials.