Regular readers of this column know I am determined to focus on examining the evolving attitudes of our provincial and federal governments in supporting science and research.

But as I give my commentary and hypothesize about the future, one factor has been curiously absent: what does the public think about the value of research?

After all, it is one thing to air one's views about what should be done and what pitfalls lie ahead; it is quite another to highlight issues that are independently known to be important to Canadians.

Fortunately, new data has arrived. Last week, I was in Ottawa to discuss the results of a new survey of Canadian attitudes to science and research. The report, entitled Rethinking Science and Society, was carried out by the Ottawa-based firm of EKOS Research Associates and spanned a number of key issues. According to the authors, the study "aims to better understand public views on science and research, and provide insight into how Canadians link scientific discoveries with overall quality of life."

It was carried out last September by interviewing 2,001 Canadians across the country, with a slight oversample of those between the ages of 16 and 30. EKOS researchers used Statistics Canada data to ensure that the sample was representative of the population.

The results of the study were both surprising and encouraging.

Nearly nine in 10 Canadians had a favourable impression of scientific research, with 86 per cent claiming it was beneficial for Canada and 83 per cent asserting it was relevant.

Meanwhile, 93 per cent were either "very interested" or "somewhat interested" in learning more about scientific discoveries, and 66 per cent claimed they have too little information about the impact of scientific discoveries on society.

Despite recent accomplishments, 86 per cent of those surveyed stated they were either "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" about the brain drain of skilled Canadians leaving to the U.S., while more than 70 per cent believed that providing more scholarships and offering more funding to university research would be effective government action to promote science and research.

Strikingly, 86 per cent of respondents expressed trust in university researchers when talking about issues related to science. In the same category, politicians garnered the trust of only 11 per cent.

But that was hardly the end of the story. Fifty-seven per cent believe today's youth get insufficient exposure to science at school while 58 per cent were concerned that Canada will not have enough scientists and engineers to meet future research needs. A whopping 84 per cent said they would strongly recommend post-secondary studies in science to their children or young relatives while 74 per cent of respondents agreed with the blunt statement: "If we don't improve Canada's science capacity, the overall quality of life of Canadians will suffer."

Perhaps most tellingly, when asked the question: "Knowing there are many things that governments could dedicate resources to, do you think governments should spend less, more or about the same on strengthening Canada's science and research capacity?" A remarkable 70 per cent responded with "more."

The results of this survey are overwhelming. The vast majority of Canadians feel scientific research is vital to our quality of life. They are concerned about our ability to maintain a competitive advantage in this pivotal arena due to the combined factors of international competition and insufficient early training and exposure. They trust university researchers to give the straight goods and are deeply skeptical that politicians can do the same. Seventy per cent want government to spend more money on science and research.

To the group gathered last week in Ottawa to discuss the survey's findings, such a clear endorsement of continued investment in this country's research infrastructure was welcomed like manna from heaven.

Perhaps most troubling of all, despite the fact the air is thick these days with multi-billion dollar surpluses, major granting councils have recently been mandated to undergo "re-evaluation" exercises that many fear are a prelude to reducing future investments in basic and applied research.

In the internationally competitive world of chasing the best scientific minds, even the smallest threat of a change of heart will have an immediate effect. Over the past 10 years, the federal government has made tremendous strides towards changing the international perception of Canada from an innocuous country with plentiful natural resources to an exciting, progressive magnet of research and innovation.

This slow rebranding combined with the increasing concerns of so much of the American scientific establishment in the wake of George W. Bush's re-election present Canada with an ideal target of opportunity to cement ourselves as a legitimate world power in science and research. The public, bless their hearts, seem to understand this opportunity loud and clear. Their government, alas, does not.