Toronto 
Research Infosource Inc. has released a list of Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals, which is determined by the total research spend by the institute.
Per the report, Canada’s top 40 research hospitals demonstrated a notable increase in research spending for Fiscal 2022, reaching a total of $3.20 billion, a 4.7% rise from the previous year’s $3.06 billion. This growth was fueled by increased spending in 30 of these institutions, while only 10 experienced a decline. Additionally, the number of health researchers increased by 2.6% to 10,135.
Leading the pack in research spending was the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto with $474.6 million, followed by the Hospital for Sick Children at $294.2 million, and McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) with $231.7 million. The top seven also included the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Provincial Health Services Authority (BC), Ottawa Hospital, and London Health Sciences Centre/St. Joseph’s Health Care London.
The “100 Million Club,” comprising institutions with research spending over $100 million, expanded to include 11 members this year, up from 10 in the previous year. This elite group accounted for 66% of the national research spending, amounting to $2.11 billion, an 8.2% increase from Fiscal 2021. Unity Health Toronto was a new entrant to this group.
Significant growth in research spending was also noted in 15 organizations, with six of them, including Alberta Health Services – Calgary and Edmonton Zones, Hôpital Montfort, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and Bruyère, reporting over 20% increase.
In terms of research intensity, measured by spending per researcher and as a percentage of total hospital spending, Unity Health Toronto led in the large hospital category with $924,700 per researcher. The Hospital for Sick Children was the top spender in the medium category at 27.3% of its total budget, while Montreal Heart Institute led the small category.
On a provincial level, Ontario’s 20 health organizations dominated, contributing 57% ($1.82 billion) to the national total, followed by Quebec’s 12 institutions with 27%. British Columbia’s contribution declined to 10% of the national total.
The report finds that the Fiscal year 2022 marked a high in-hospital research spending. However, considering the fluctuating year-on-year results and the impact of factors like inflation and potential government funding cutbacks, the future trajectory of research spending remains uncertain.
Top 40 Research Hospitals (Health Organisation)
- University Health Network (UHN), ON
- Hospital for Sick Children, ON
- McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), QC
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, BC
- Provincial Health Services Authority, BC
- Ottawa Hospital, ON
- London Health Sciences Centre/St. Joseph’s Health Care London, ON
- Hamilton Health Sciences, ON
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, ON
- CHU de Québec – Université Laval, QC
- Unity Health Toronto, ON
- Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), QC
- Sinai Health, ON
- CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, QC
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, ON
- Alberta Health Services – Edmonton Zone, AB
- CIUSSS de l’Estrie – Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS), QC
- CHU Sainte-Justine, QC
- CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l´île de Montréal, QC
- Montreal Heart Institute, QC
- CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, QC
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
- Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec – Université Laval, QC
- Alberta Health Services – Calgary Zone, AB
- Kingston Health Sciences Centre, ON
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institutet, ON
- Nova Scotia Health Authority, NS
- Baycrest, ON
- CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, QC
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, QC
- Women’s College Hospital, ON
- The Royal, ON
- Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, MB
- St. Boniface Hospital, MB
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, ON
- IWK Health Centre, NS
- Bruyère, ON
- Hôpital Montfort, ON
- Trillium Health Partners, ON
- Health Sciences North, ON
