P-Q puts back research funding

The provincial government has brought back funding for environmental protection and health research.

But they're in hot water for slashing them off the annual budget in the first place.

CBC News is reporting that Higher Education Minister Pierre Duchesne reinstated $26.5 million dollars to research funding. That amount is good for one year.  

However, the Liberals are not happy with the government's fickle move of taking out money and putting back in the coffers. Interim leader Jean-Marc Fournier says the P-Q has no vision on governing and does not think about the consequences.

Quebec Premier Pauline Marois defended herself by blaming the Liberals. They left a budget shortfall of more than $1.5 billion dollars.

That forced the provincial government to slash research funding in the first place. 63-million dollars was cut.  

Researchers say the funding cuts could potentially force laboratories to close and research projects to go on hiatus.

Coalition Avenir Québec leader François Legault says that the funding should be brought back permanently. He thinks research is profitable for Quebec's economy.

Health Scientist Dr. Serge Rivest is a health scientist at the Quebec University Hospital Centre.

He welcomes the decision to bring back the funding.

He says the reinstatement is very good news for Quebec's hospital patients and the population in general.

STORY WRITTEN BY: SATURN DE LOS ANGELES