Canada needs a branding makeover in global, knowledge-based economy
Many would agree that the beaver, a traditional national branding symbol, just doesn’t quite cut it in a rapidly-changing, highly-mobile, knowledge-based economy. Don’t get me wrong, beavers are cute, if you like water rodents. The mascot of our five-cent coin, the beaver symbolizes the amiable industriousness often associated with Canada. Advertising professionals will tell you […]
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 […]
Canada’s future depends on being a leader in global digital economy, says Clement
Information and communication technologies are an important part of Canada’s knowledge economy future, but its quickly-changing nature presents policy challenges for the government, says Canada’s Industry Minister Tony Clement. “Our government recognizes that both the supply and adoption of ICTs is part of a broader knowledge economy that is important to future prosperity,” Mr. Clement […]
Copyright consultation provides blueprint for reform
OTTAWA—This past summer, Industry Minister Tony Clement and Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore successfully completed the first national public consultation on copyright policy in eight years. While there were a few inevitable hiccups, the consultation is rightly viewed as among the most inclusive, transparent, and accessible efforts in recent memory. By leveraging social media and […]
Getting it right: Tories must move from regressive to progressive copyright
OTTAWA—The recent round of copyright consultations represents the first positive step on the copyright file since the Conservatives took power. But the question that remains is: What will come of these meetings? In the four years since then-Heritage minister Bev Oda promised to deliver quick action on the copyright file, the Tories have treated the […]
