Prosperity doesn’t come from spending taxpayer dollars: Bernier

Say what you want about Conservative MP Maxime Bernier; he knows what his priorities are in his quest to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. “The economy, the economy, the economy,” he said in an interview with The Hill Times last week when asked what the most important issues are to […]
Hottest lobbying issues this fall

As the House begins its fall session, heavy lobbying is about to start again. Looking at the top 10 topics in active registrations on the federal lobbyists’ registry, as of Sept. 15, these are likely to be among the topics most often discussed between lobbyists and public office holders: industry, international trade, environment, taxation and […]
U.S. lobbyists cheesed off over proposed Canadian dairy policy

Lobby groups in the United States, European Union, and three other countries are leaning on their governments to launch trade challenges against Canada, arguing that proposed changes to help Canada’s dairy farmers compete with diafiltered milk imports amount to a violation of trade law. Canadian dairy producers and processors are working to ratify a national […]
Investing in innovation: getting to three per cent of GDP

In a global knowledge economy, Canada’s competitiveness depends more than ever on increasing our capacity for research and innovation. Despite having some of the best universities, most talented researchers, and innovative companies, many Canadians would be surprised to learn just how far behind we are internationally when it comes to our support for research. A […]
Advancements in biotech and life sciences provide robust benefits for Canada

As minister of innovation, science, and economic development, my top priority is the development and implementation of an inclusive innovation agenda that positions Canada as a global centre for innovation. In so doing, the agenda will create well-paying jobs for the middle class, drive growth across industries, and improve the quality of life of all […]
Legal status of patented genes in Canada remains unclear, though recent settlement should defuse tension, say experts

A landmark settlement reached earlier this year over diagnostic testing is being lauded as a potential solution to the ethical and legal quagmire presented by genes patented by private companies. Work is currently underway to help develop a framework for provincial governments, on behalf of their publicly-operated hospitals, to appeal for legal use of patented genetic material […]
CSI poultry: lobbyists win rare summer committee meeting on illicit chicken imports, dairy

It looks like Canada’s dairy and chicken farmers will have to sit tight over the summer as losses from American imports continue to pile up. Lobbyists for those industries, which form the backbone of Canada’s supply-managed agriculture sector, have caught the attention of MPs and the Canadian press over a pair of seemingly obscure regulatory […]
The challenge: globalization that works for all

A dark cloud is threatening the world’s economy. This is the backlash to globalization, and the great dangers a retreat from globalization would pose for an increasingly crowded planet and its ability to cope with increasingly complex problems, such as global growth and employment, climate change, global financial stability, migration, and terrorism. These problems cannot […]
Innovation: A step in the right direction, with another one to come

On June 24, an important element toward the goal of fostering innovation in Canada will come into force. New provisions in the Patent Act and Trade-marks Act will protect confidential communications between clients and their patent and trademark agents made for the purpose of seeking or giving advice with respect to any matter relating to […]
North American Leaders’ Summit