Since the last report to CASCA in May 2005, Coalition activity has continued at a steady pace; an update was posted in the Autumnal Equinox issue of E-Cass.  This report, therefore, focuses mainly on Coalition activity since September. 

CASCA Coalition Co-Chair:

In May 2004 CASCA Board designated Gretchen Harris as its Coalition representative to serve for ~one year.  In September 2005 Peter Martin began to assume a greater role and, except for the Working Group activities, is now the Coalition Co-Chair for CASCA.  Gretchen Harris will continue to represent CASCA as chair of the Working Group on LRP funding until its report is complete in early 2006.

The Political Front:

On November 1-3, the Coalition met with 18 MPs from different parties, a head of staff from the Senate leader, and ministry officials and pmo staff.  Representing the Coalition at these meetings were Co-Chairs Peter Martin, Michael Jolliffe, and Pekka Sinervo. 

Getting meetings on the Hill seems now not to be a problem.  At our most recent teleconference, Michael Jolliffe, the only Co-Chair to have served over the five year lifetime of the Coalition, expressed his amazement at the progress that Astronomy, the LRP and the Coalition have made.  Five years ago meetings were difficult to obtain and the government understanding and awareness of our LRP and its goals were essentially nonexistent.  Today we are on their radar and in a positive way.  This is a tremendous achievement and one which we should celebrate.  But the reality which accompanies our success is that this work must continue in order to maintain our visibility and accessibility and ultimately secure the needed LRP funding.  This means a continuing, strong commitment of CASCA resources, both human and financial, into the foreseeable future.

Funding the LRP:

The first focus of the November lobbying campaign was to underscore the need for renewed and sustained funding to ensure that what had been started in the LRP was brought to fruition.  The target budget was that in the MTR, for all projects, over the next seven years.  The second goal was to get this into the next federal budget.  Although there seems to be all party agreement that this is a good thing to do, getting the memorandum to cabinet through Industry Canada is still the practical challenge; once to cabinet it probably would have a good chance of surviving (given the current government at least). 

In addition, we are still working to secure the $15M federal government and ensure our partnership in the Detailed Design Development Phase of the TMT.  This commitment was arranged through Industry Canada.  There has been considerable turnover of personnel at Industry; the present lot appear to be understanding of the situation.  More changes in personnel in Industry have been announced...

It seems there will be an election before this government gets to have a budget anyway (all meaning that with changing players once again, more re-education will be needed).

Working Group on Funding the LRP:

As previously reported, this group consists of Gretchen Harris (CASCA), Michael Jolliffe (Industry), Rene Racine (ACURA), and Greg Fahlman (NRC/HIA).  Invited participants are Vice Presidents of the CFI, CSA, NSERC, and NRC or their representatives.  It was formed as the result of a meeting in November 2004 and its goal is to examine issues related to funding the LRP.  On November 22, 2005 this group met to discuss test cases and possible funding models against which they would be evaluated.  As a result of this meeting, the Working Group will prepare a report to be ready before a January meeting at which time we hope to be able to make final recommendations.

Funding the Coalition:

The activities of the Coalition cost money and the CASCA Board has already committed its support at the level of $5000 per year.  At its November meeting CASCA Board approved an expenditure of $7500 for the current fiscal year.

Gretchen Harris, Peter Martin
CASCA Representatives to the Coalition for Canadian Astronomy