To boost Canadian innovation, resist the lure of Silicon Valley
TORONTO—Kitchener-Waterloo made a big deal out of attracting Google to set up a large R&D branch plant in an old industrial building there. Not to be outdone, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in the early days of his government, made a high-profile visit lauding Google’s expanding R&D branch plant. He wanted Google to play a bigger […]
Moon shot can’t be the final frontier for Canadian space program, say sky watchers
The Canadian government may be shooting for the moon, but there’s still plenty of room for the space program to stretch among the stars, according to experts and observers, who say the country needs more of a plan to capitalize on investments and interest in the space industry. There’s been some movement on this file […]
Canada’s government still doesn’t get innovation—and that’s a problem
TORONTO—Could it be that the disappointing results from the Trudeau government’s innovation strategy are due to its lack of understanding of how the digital knowledge-based economy actually works? When then-industry minister Navdeep Bains unveiled his innovation strategy in 2017, he boldly declared that there was no need for further studies. Jim Balsillie, the chair of […]
Bloc blames Liberals for delaying bill to end supply management concessions
The Bloc Québécois are accusing the Liberals of delaying a private member’s bill that would bar trade negotiators from being able to make supply management concessions in future trade talks even as the bill has received broad support. Bill C-216, which was introduced by Bloc MP Louis Plamondon (Bécancour–Nicolet–Saurel, Que.), passed at second reading in […]
Inclusive pandemic recovery can’t happen without targeted support for youth
When it comes to our collective pandemic recovery, investing in young Canadians is essential. However, success will depend on our ability to not simply create opportunities, but to create meaningful ones that allow youth to not only recover but to use their unique qualities and perspectives to shape and define what that recovery will look […]
Motion to establish House Science and Research Committee has cross-partisan support
Canada’s former minister of science says there should be a full-fledged House Science and Research Committee in the next Parliament and says it could have played a vital role during the global pandemic. Ms. Duncan (Etobicoke North, Ont.), who served as the federal minister of science and sport in the last Parliament and currently serves […]
Innovation for net zero: governance and policy innovation as important as technological advances
After decades of muddling along, it finally appears that Canada is putting in place the conditions to make headway on the climate file. The federal government is advancing legislation to formalize its net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goal and establish a Net Zero Advisory Body. It has announced its intention to ramp up the […]
Where’s the innovation in our innovation ecosystem?
Recently, the OECD delivered a major policy report to the U.K. Presidency of the G7 Summit that will take place in June. It covered a great deal of ground on how member nations can strive to enhance economic knowledge and societal resilience in the new, post-pandemic world that will emerge. And the next normal will […]
Research on pandemic lessons will get us out of COVID—and the next one
There is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated every aspect of our lives. For post-secondary institutions across Canada, COVID-19 forced our teaching activities to move online, and at the onset of the pandemic, led to the suspension of research activities. Shuttered research labs and the cessation of community-based research in Canada and across the […]
Research & Innovation Policy Briefing
