CETA best fix for Canada’s ‘bad reputation’ with IP protection, say experts
Patent protection for biopharmaceuticals is increasingly under the radar in this country as Canada and the European Union continue to negotiate the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and some observers say the trade agreement is a perfect opportunity for Canada to shake its worsening reputation surrounding intellectual property (IP) protection. “Unfortunately over the […]
Biotech lobby optimistic on intellectual property reforms
Canada’s biotech industry association is siding with pharmaceutical developers on proposed intellectual property reforms related to Canada-EU free trade negotiations, but a leading expert on patent law warns that tougher protections could stifle life science innovation. BIOTECanada president and CEO Andrew Casey told The Hill Times that his organization is “very supportive” of reforms […]
National Research Council has become a ‘1-800 concierge service’
With more than 500 companies operating across Canada, the biotechnology and life sciences sector is a vital and growing part of Canada’s knowledge economy. By developing innovative products used throughout the supply chain, biotech firms are working to transform many other industries as well. Bio-based materials and plastics enable our manufacturers to produce goods […]
Government subsidies for Canadian biofuel industry winding down
The government has recently indicated it will cut support for the biofuel industry—both by capping how much renewable fuel Canadians have in their gas tanks and by cutting funding for prospective biofuel producers—but an industry insider says minimizing government involvement in biofuel production is a positive step, as he’s “wary of technology that requires […]
New Science Minister Rickford faces steep learning curve on important file
New Science minister Greg Rickford will have his work cut out in balancing the job of promoting innovation in the science and tech sectors with his role in promoting economic development in Northern Ontario. Renewing an out of date Science and Technology Strategy, liaising between industry and the government, and addressing the concerns of […]
Canada’s Aging Society
Defined pensions largely a thing of the past
WATERLOO, ONT. —The world of retirement income security is rapidly changing—and leaving most Canadians without a security net. In 1986, a sizeable 39 per cent of the labour force had an employer-sponsored pension and most of these (92 per cent) were defined-benefit plans where workers knew clearly the income they would have post-retirement. By […]
Home and long-term care improvements needed to respond to aging population: CMA
Leading health policy researchers and Canada’s largest medical organization say that improved long-term and home-based health-care delivery could go a long way in cutting the costs associated with caring for Canada’s aging population, but federal disengagement on the health file remains an obstacle. The Canadian Medical Association made improvements to long-term care and home […]
Being old is not what it used to be
“Old age is not for sissies,” said Bette Davis. Indeed, it is not, but the images from our childhood of what it meant to be “old” have changed dramatically. Of course, as I enter my 60th year, my perspective on what it means to be “old,” of necessity, shifts. As another popular aphorism, puts […]
Many elderly living at or near poverty line
Statistics Canada says the population over the age of 65 will pass 10.5 million in 20 years. With this demographic greying, governments will face challenges the likes of which Canada has never encountered. But as a country, we’ve known for many years that this demographic shift was coming, and that adequately preparing for it […]
