Here’s how to start the national effort on cybersecurity
I’ve worked in cybersecurity for most of my professional life. What’s concerning to me is how we’ve come to accept cyberattacks as just an inconvenient fact of life. Many now see the risk of a damaging hack much like the weather or the economy: something to be concerned about, to be sure, but unlikely to […]
The Canadian mandate: data governance for economic prosperity
The ministerial mandate letters are clear: there is a need to establish a new set of online rights focused on data use for Canadians. Three ministers in particular are charged with the main task of co-ordinating these new rights: innovation, science, and industry; heritage; and justice. Why such a focus on data? Simply put, there […]
‘Data, privacy, trade’: ministers tasked with AI file contending with fast, fundamental changes
From new ice forecasting techniques that help improve shipping safety in northern waters, to new tools involved with the reclamation of ancient Indigenous languages, to social media “chatbots” that respond to general questions about immigration and citizenship, the Canadian government is increasingly turning toward automated tools to solve tough problems, improve predictions, and cut down […]
Agricultural innovation critical for industry and government to address climate change
In the global discussion on climate change, agricultural innovation is a vital part of the solution. But in the public discourse to date, agriculture is often portrayed as a major cause, as opposed to part of the solution, when it comes to addressing the challenges posed by climate change. To be sure, agriculture and its […]
How businesses can narrow the innovation gap in an AI-driven digital economy
Canada is pushing the new digital frontiers with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) research. Signs of an unfolding AI-driven digital economy can be seen almost everywhere: from lively labs and hubs with deep-learning researchers and high-tech startups in Toronto, Montréal, and other places, to the growing concentration of animated commentators, data scientists, venture capitalists, and global […]
Regional innovation hubs: an untapped potential for Canada
Canada is a strong nation with a diverse population located in a broad span of regions. Whether geographically, economically, or culturally linked, urban or rural, large or small, each of these regions plays a vital role in our identity, our economy, and the well-being of our communities. This country has seen many innovation success stories […]
Can innovation save our automotive industry?
Since 2015, the Trudeau Liberals have touted “innovation” as the way forward for Canadian industries. Many, from manufacturing, to services, and natural resources, are showing impressive results by embracing innovation. But it is not clear that the Trudeau government’s policies, like the Innovation Superclusters Initiative, are really making a difference on the ground. When we […]
The future is here, but is Canada ready to take advantage of it?
On Feb. 6, global internet giant Google announced it was tripling its workforce to almost 5,000 jobs across Canada. The week before, homegrown Canadian darling, Shopify, announced 1,000 new jobs in Vancouver. Microsoft, Facebook, and Amazon are all hiring. The digital economy generated more than $100-billion in growth last year. And 2019 was a record […]
Innovation never sleeps—and neither should we
The digital era is completely revolutionizing how we live, play, and work. Smartphones, industrial robots, and self-driving cars are just a few examples of how this new landscape is creating unprecedented opportunities—and new challenges, too. From Day 1, our government has made it clear that our intention is to do everything possible to help Canadians […]
Navigating the innovation doldrums
Canada’s economy is stuck, as are the economies of other advanced nations. The last two decades yielded only meagre progress in living standards, and there is little reason to expect that the new decade will bring any more success. Certainly, there is no sign of a roaring economy similar to that experienced in the ‘20s […]
