We need a return to funding basic research
It was in the spring 2012 budget that the previous Conservative government established the primacy of utilitarian, mercantile science over basic research and pure intellectual inquiry. The budget decreed that federal funds would go to research that was “business-led [and] industry-relevant.” The significant deficit in industry investment in research and development affects our economy. We […]
Bains, Carr, Garneau most lobbied ministers, health most lobbied topic in October
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains remained the most lobbied minister of the Trudeau cabinet in October, while health was the most lobbied issue between federal officials and lobbyists, according to the federal lobbyists registry. There were 21 communication reports filed for contact with Mr. Bains (Mississauga-Malton, Ont.) last month, according to registry numbers last week. Natural Resources […]
Lobbyists mobilize to remind U.S.: shutting out Canada means hurting Americans
Canada’s pro-trade lobbyists are getting ready to play defence following the election of future president and NAFTA-basher Donald Trump. Industry associations are already in talks with United States allies and Canadian officials to make sure the new American political leadership hears loud and clear: shutting out Canada will cause pain on both sides of the […]
On innovation, Canada can learn from Israel
Last spring Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains announced the federal government’s goal of making Canada an innovation superpower. Since then, the consultation process for the Canada Innovation Agenda has included a review not only of our historic approach to innovation but also of the best practices that have given other countries the edge in the new […]
What’s killing jobs?
LONDON, U.K.—“The notion that Uber in London is a mosaic of 30,000 small businesses linked by a common ‘platform’ is, to our minds, faintly ridiculous,” said one of the judges on the employment tribunal. So the tribunal ruled that Uber’s 30,000 drivers in London were actually employees, and therefore entitled to be paid the minimum […]
Time to walk the talk on Bombardier support
Make no mistake: the aviation industry is about to take off. Despite recent airline concerns over the rise of protectionism, annual passenger volumes will probably, at the very least, double in 20 years. In a world that can no longer afford to ignore the threat of climate change, this explosion in air travel deserves a […]
Provincial differences seen as innovation hurdle
Canada’s success in innovation could improve if it had uniform policies across the country, rather than provincial variations that can make it difficult for startups to succeed across the country, say industry experts. For startups and companies that push innovation, the provincial differences in financial regulations can be a hindrance. “One issue in Canada has to […]
Next budget will map out innovation agenda, government taking more ‘inclusive’ approach than before: Bains
PARLIAMENT HILL—The government’s innovation policy will take shape in the next federal budget and will include targeting immigrants with economic, business, backgrounds; incentives for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and a program to promote coding, says Canada’s federal Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains. In a sit-down interview with The Hill Times in Centre Block […]
Long way to go before Canada becomes innovative nation
TORONTO—The Trudeau government’s promise to deliver greater prosperity and opportunity for the middle class will depend crucially on its success in propelling Canada forward as a truly innovative nation. It’s why there’s an intense activity underway today to draft a new innovation agenda for the country. But it’s a big challenge. More than incremental improvement […]
Canada struggles to make little companies big
Canada has become better at taking innovative ideas from concept to commercial startups, but is failing at scaling those companies to become successful international companies, according to experts. “The end goal of innovation policy should be to … create globally competitive companies to compete on the basis of innovation,” said Micheál Kelly, dean of the […]
