The other half of preparing for a Trump era
CALGARY—As much as trade-dependent Canada suffers when the United States shoots itself in the foot, there are still often gains to be had. This is shaping up to be likely with the incoming Trump administration. Anticipating and preparing to seize these opportunities is the other, often overlooked, half of the work that is needed by the private sector, federal and provincial governments to prepare for the incoming […]
Youth Issues
Statistics Act changes don’t go far enough
OTTAWA—With the introduction of Bill C-36, An Act to Amend the Statistics Act, the government is moving forward on its commitment to “make Statistics Canada fully independent.” How does the draft legislation measure up to this goal and the expectations of key stakeholders? To begin, let me say that the bill, if passed in its […]
Canada must do more to boost innovation
There has been much discussion and activity around the topic of innovation. Everyone recognizes the need to create an environment in Canada that fosters innovation, and that supports the development of innovative ideas through to commercialization. The excellence of Canadian research happening at the universities and colleges across the country is well-respected in the world. […]
Universities call for more financial support for research, while colleges eye bigger share of funding
Advocates for Canadian post-secondary institutions are calling on the federal government to improve on the expanded investments in research seen in Budget 2016 to ensure the country can keep pace with surging global competitors. In what backers are calling the biggest increase in a decade, the Liberal government earmarked an additional $95-million this year to the Canadian granting councils, […]
Science minister sees funding gaps for young researchers, multidisciplinary and multinational research
Young researchers are starved for grants in Canada, which can make their work “impossible,” says Science Minister Kirsty Duncan. That’s one of the challenges she’s heard from scientists during her first year as minister, she said in a Nov. 10 interview after giving a speech at the Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa. She also […]
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 […]
University and College Research
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 […]
