We’re advancing the innovation agenda
The success of economies around the world rests on one factor more than any other: the ability of their public and private sectors to innovate. Authoritative bodies here at home and abroad all agree on this. One has only to consult recent reports by the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, the Expert Panel on […]
Canada’s digital strategy stalls
It’s been more than two years since the federal government held online consultations on a strategy to develop Canada’s digital economy and Industry Canada has yet release a plan, despite assurances by Industry Minister Christian Paradis to introduce a strategy by the end of 2012. Speaking with The Hill Times, Minister of State for Science […]
Feds look to bolster business innovation
Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear says that new investments in small and mid-size business innovation are part of a wider strategy to bolster innovation and commercialization in Canada, but critics say the federal government’s approach still falls short nearly a year and a half after the release of the Jenkins […]
We need to bring people together to turn research into innovation, innovation into enterprise
OTTAWA—In September, Site Selection, a prestigious American trade publication aimed at business executives who determine the location for new production facilities, ranked Hamilton as the top Canadian city for companies interested in launching new industrial development projects or expanding existing ones. When commenting on the ranking, Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina pointed out how his […]
Don’t trade off science policy for innovation policy
OTTAWA—Innovation is a word that is used a lot—too often perhaps—but it is rarely succinctly defined. In a recent document issued by the Institute for Science, Society and Policy, Canada’s Future as an Innovative Society: A Decalogue of Policy Criteria, we define this concept as follows (with thanks to Peter Nicholson): “Innovation occurs whenever […]
Canadians clearly deserve better from their science advisory apparatus
OTTAWA—“It is not enough for scientists to have responsibility as citizens. They have a much greater one than that and different in kind. For scientists have a moral imperative to say what they know. It is going to make them unpopular. It may do worse than make them unpopular. That doesn’t matter.”—C.P. Snow. By […]
Innovation in Health IT will improve health, fuel growth
It may sound like a magic elixir that boosts productivity while also improving care, but when it comes to our health system, we’ve all seen the results of innovation. Recent advances have led to improvements in childhood cancer survival and minimally invasive surgery, to name just two examples with global impact. Here in Canada, […]
Time to unleash new cultures of innovation
Successful innovation emerges from robust cultures of innovation. This new insight is the central conclusion of a steady stream of research reports that have overturned 20th century assumptions about applied research, technology transfer, and commercialization. Leading businesses and organizations now seek to unleash cultures of innovation within their operations and in partnership with post-secondary […]
Feds should be nurturing innovative, technology-intensive companies
Canada’s future depends very much on its participation in the knowledge economy. Research and development, innovation, and commercialization will all drive Canada’s economic growth in the coming years and decades. We have a rich base of innovative, technology-intensive companies, including many in the natural resource sector, and the government should be nurturing these businesses […]
NCE R&D models continue to solve today’s innovation needs
The suite of research, commercialization and training programs administered by Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) brings together a critical mass of public and private sector talent in a unique, high-impact innovation ecosystem. Networks and centres funded through the NCE address challenging social and economic issues through a team approach that encourages synergy […]
