‘We’re the fifth largest exporter of food in the world, and the global demand is growing,’ Ag Minister MacAulay eyes opening Chinese market
PARLIAMENT HILL—Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay is eyeing the opening Chinese market as a “vitally important” market for Canadian farmers to tap into and says he wants to make sure the industry has the ability to invest in innovations that will see the country’s sector poised to meet China’s rapidly expanding growing demand. “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 […]
Private fundraising events are a necessary evil
OTTAWA—Odious is how one Globe and Mail columnist characterized the job of private event fundraising. Lawrence Martin actually ascribed the descriptor to me, based on an interview I gave last week to CTV parliamentary bureau chief Bob Fife. Fife asked me what I thought of the current political controversy surrounding the private fundraising activities of […]
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 […]
Vox Populi on Innovation
NDP MP and innovation critic Brian Masse Windsor West, Ont. “Many Canadians are very much in favour of regular trade among Canadians. We have witnessed a wonderful phenomenon now taking place with small business development in our country that is key to neighbourhoods and communities. I see that type of energy and robust innovation being […]
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 […]
Making defence procurement part of innovation agenda has detractors and fans
The defence industry’s proposal to change the country’s procurement strategy to better encourage innovation is opposed by some industry analysts, though some experts say it could work. “A made-in-Canada defence industrial policy would help the government better connect and coordinate its existing suite of policies, programs, and tools to enhance innovation-led growth using defence procurement,” said Christyn […]
