Science and technology funding from the Canadian federal government grew from CAN $5.1 billion (USD $3.84 billion) to $7.5 billion between 1995–1996 and 2001–2002, according to a recent report by Statistics Canada, the country's central statistics agency.

Despite the growth in spending, not all areas of the country benefited equally. Federal investment in Alberta, for example, grew by 88% during the period, from CAN $252 million to $475 million, while in Quebec it grew by more than 70%, from $792 million to $1.382 billion. Ontario saw a jump of more than 50%, from a little more than $1 billion to $1.644 billion.

Although all areas of the country did see some increase, some, like New Brunswick, saw their share remain almost flat: from $81 million in 1995–1996 to just $82 million in 2001–2002. And in 1997–1998, while spending dipped in all provinces except Ontario, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, it hit...

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