‘An extraordinary year for health,’ says Aglukkaq
The following is a speech Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq delivered before the House Health Committee on Dec. 2 when the committee discussed Health Canada’s supplementary estimates. It was edited to fit the page. OTTAWA—This has been an extraordinary year for the health portfolio. Since I appeared before you on the main estimates in May, we […]
Time to tackle Canada’s productivity challenge
The global economy is experiencing the biggest downturn since the Great Depression, and according to the IMF, this is the first time in 60 years that it will shrink. The federal government reacted swiftly by implementing Canada’s Economic Action Plan, providing $40-billion over two years in stimulus. When combined with provincial funds, the total stimulus […]
Key to robust innovation lies in effective matchmaking between scientists and stakeholders
WATERLOO, ONT.—When budgets are tightened in industry and government, research laboratories are traditionally the first to feel the effects. I believe that knowledge transfer between research and its beneficiaries, advocates, and stakeholders is essential to protect project development and stimulate innovation at a time when it is most needed. But efficient knowledge transfer and uptake […]
Canada needs a scientific advisory board to Parliament to help formulate science policy
WATERLOO—Who speaks for science? The naive answer to the question would be “scientists.” Don’t psychologists speak for psychology? Don’t chemists speak for chemistry? Don’t physicists speak for physics? Well, yes—but which physicists? Speaking to whom? About which subjects? Answering what questions? Proposing what policies? These fundamental questions make it clear that finding the right spokespersons […]
Reconceptualize science to reduce violence in our world
TORONTO—Albert Einstein used to say that “science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” We can also add that: “Science without democracy is arbitrary, as democracy without science is ignorant.” The interface between democracy and science has always been a complex and problematic one, which, to be properly understood, must be situated in […]
Goodyear says feds’ top priority is economy, boosting innovation
The federal government is trying to stop Canada’s innovation decline through its science and technology strategy and by investing more than $5-billion in new S&T initiatives, says Science and Technology Minister of State Gary Goodyear (Cambridge, Ont.) in an email interview with The Hill Times for this week’s “Innovation Policy Briefing.” You were at the […]
Establish Canada as hub for next wave of knowledge industries and make it a national priority
VANCOUVER, B.C.—If you want to get into the mining business, you need an ore body. If you’re going into the oil business, you need oil. And if you’re a nation looking to build a knowledge economy, you need knowledge workers—and plenty of them. Therein lies the conundrum facing our governments as they seek to transform […]
Transforming science and technology into innovation
“Well informed people know that it is impossible to transmit their voices over wires and that, were it possible to do so, the thing would be of no practical value.”—Boston Post, editorial, 1865 OTTAWA—Recent reports and editorials have highlighted Canada’s lagging performance in science—and technology-related innovation and competitiveness. Analysis reveals that, despite a strong science […]
Public wants in on science and technology policy
OTTAWA—Imagine opening a magazine and seeing an advertisement proclaiming, “More doctors smoke our brand than any other cigarette,” followed by a report showing a man proudly standing beside a scale model of a nuclear-powered car. Today, such publications are quite inconceivable, yet they existed only 50 years ago. We all know that our trust in […]
Canada must place good policy above partisan politics on innovation, science, and technology
MONTREAL—”Could do better.” Three words on a school report card with which many parents and students are all too familiar. You are not living up to your potential, the teacher says, you need to apply yourself. Look past the repeated scolding, and there’s an underlying optimism in this message. Many often miss it: You can […]
