We need to find ways to fund new programs without endangering essential core of education
OTTAWA—The printing press, motorized vehicles, telephones, and computer are but a few of the inventions that have changed the world. They have affected social organization and created economic development, to a great extent improving the quality of our lives. As our global economy falters, it is not surprising that each nation looks to the creative […]
High-growth entrepreneurship is the key to Canada’s future economic success
OTTAWA—As Canada struggles with the fallout from the Great Recession, governments at all levels are grappling with how to ensure the kind of economic growth that will create meaningful jobs and future prosperity. Igniting Canada’s entrepreneurial spirit is the answer. But all forms of entrepreneurship are not equal; ‘high-growth’ entrepreneurship contributes disproportionately to innovation, […]
Helping companies bridge Canada’s innovation gap
One of the ongoing challenges for Canadian research and development policy is finding the best way to stimulate and leverage Canada’s corporate R&D investments. One proven innovative tool involves firms pursuing partnerships with universities or colleges to harness their research expertise. These partnerships can be enriching collaborative experiences if both parties feel that they […]
Time for innovation in Canada’s trade gateways and corridors
TORONTO—Canada’s national transportation policies, ever more linked to global trade and supply chain management, are currently facing two issues. The first is truly transformative: the staggering changes in global transportation supply chains, with ever bigger ships and aircraft, fewer but more strategic port developments, shifting traffic corridors through the Panama and Suez Canal and […]
Helping bridge the innovation gap
The research community should be encouraged that the Government of Canada continues to reinforce its belief that investing in research and development is a key priority for economic growth and job creation for this country. This has been a consistent theme in the government’s economic action plans. Part of the national strategy to boost […]
Here’s another podium we should seize
OTTAWA—When our athletes took the Olympic podium in Vancouver in 2010, Canadians felt justifiable pride, both in them and our country. We marvelled at their ambition and skill, and cheered them on. One of the keys to their success was the pre-Games coaching and support that they received once they had proven themselves to […]
Innovation the holy grail of economic policy-makers in Canada
Innovation has become the holy grail of economic policy-makers in Canada. There is nearly universal agreement among economists that Canada needs much more of it to ensure the long-term prosperity of its citizens, the sustainability of its public finances and the competitiveness of its exporters. But what is innovation exactly? How is it created […]
Canada should start a pilot program for commercializing discoveries
Canada faces an urgent challenge to increase the productivity of its workforce in the face of demographic shifts, budgetary pressures, and international competition. One weak link is our poor track record in bringing successes in the laboratory to the marketplace. Canada has invested well in discovery research and produces a stream of innovation, but […]
Government policy has failed to stimulate private spending in R&D for more than decade
Prime Minister Stephen Harper finally admitted in his Jan. 26th speech in Davos what every observer knew all too well: government policy has failed to stimulate private spending in research and development for more than a decade and has critically weakened our economy’s productivity. In the wake of a series of lacklustre reports on […]
Canada ‘missing the boat’ on agricultural innovation, experts tell Senate Agriculture Committee
Canada is “missing the boat” on agricultural innovation and needs to step up its focus on getting products to market, say experts. “In Canada we see [agriculture] innovation as providing university students with a hypothesis, or providing an opportunity for the next research grant,” Earl Geddes, executive director of Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) […]
