N.W.T., Canada can work together for sustainable northern development
A year ago this week, I was in Ottawa to call for a national discussion on the future of the Northwest Territories. My red alert was motivated by the continued stagnation of the Northwest Territories economy, compounded by concerns that federal decisions and policies could create roadblocks to meaningful economic development and cut our people […]
The best way to boost high-tech jobs for Canadians? Have government lead by example
The recent revelation the city of Calgary, the Alberta government, and Ottawa are contributing $2.5-million to help American companies find expert talent in this country was nothing short of depressing. It shows how thinking about the relationship between the state and industry has stalled in this country. Let’s be blunt: Canada’s future prosperity will depend […]
Time for action on neglected Naylor report advice
OTTAWA—As the Trudeau government gears up for the coming election year, recommendations from the 2017 expert panel on Canada’s Fundamental Science Review, chaired by former University of Toronto president David Naylor and commissioned by the federal science minister, are coming to the fore. In the past few weeks, federal ministers have fanned out across the […]
Support innovation in remote regions to build on Canada’s strengths
Since 2016, the government has taken essential and reassuring steps that demonstrate its commitment to transforming Canada into an innovative society. By unmuzzling federal scientists and establishing the chief science adviser of Canada’s office, the government sent a clear signal: science must be a pillar of federal government decision-making. The 2018 budget subsequently implemented the […]
With science funding restored, universities and colleges push for more student support in 2019 budget
Building on unprecedented investments for science in the 2018 budget, universities and colleges are pressing the Liberals ahead of the 2019 budget for new funding to cover the “least sexy” costs of research, as well as dramatically expanding the number of students in work placements. More than two-dozen individual universities and colleges, as well as […]
Large gaps, questions remain in federal support for research
For many years, Canadian researchers have seen a gradual, but significant decline, in funding from the federal government. For example, from 2013 to 2015, Canada’s average investment in research was 1.6 per cent of GDP, compared to a G7 average of 2.3 per cent. The 2017 Naylor Report found that Canada is falling behind on […]
Duncan says federal government is looking at new ways to support Canadian researchers abroad
Science Minister Kirsty Duncan says the federal government is “looking now at new ways to support international mobility for our researchers, calling the issue of student international mobility a “big priority” as recent statistics show that Canada has fewer students studying abroad compared to European countries. In an email Q&A with The Hill Times this week, the veteran MP representing […]
Federal support strong for college-driven research solving the problems of tomorrow
I am so proud to be a member of a government that has placed science front and centre. Since day one, we have made investments to support both the fundamental research that drives new discoveries and the applied research that addresses tangible business and social challenges and promotes the commercialization of ideas. Colleges, in particular, […]
Let’s not fear the unknown
When I was young, my next-door neighbour’s dad was an inventor and I thought that was simply sublime—mostly because he bought a swimming pool with the profits from a patent. On hot summer days, I used to tug on my braids and imagine gadgets that might possibly meet with similar success in order to bring […]
Supply management benefits consumers, small family farms
Farmers and government created supply management more than 40 years ago to regulate perishable commodities such as eggs, poultry, and dairy products. Regulatory organizations set the price per unit based on the cost of production; control quality and safety by regulating the use of medicines; and prohibit the use of genetically modified hormones allowed in […]
