Priority setting in the knowledge ecosystem
As the federal government contemplates a considered course on fundamental science and the Council of Canadian Academies reboots another assessment of the state of science, technology, and innovation in Canada, it is worth remembering why we do these exercises. The reasons can be numerous: to improve global prestige, enhance culture, develop excellence, achieve breakthroughs, strengthen […]
File sharing lawsuit could upend copyright privacy protections
The centerpiece of Canada’s 2012 digital copyright reforms was the legal implementation of the “notice-and-notice” system that seeks to balance the interests of copyright holders, the privacy rights of internet users, and the legal obligations of internet service providers (ISPs). The law makes it easy for copyright owners to send infringement notices to ISPs, who […]
Innovation Minister Bains most lobbied minister in Trudeau cabinet
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains is easily the most lobbied member of the Trudeau cabinet in the Liberal government’s term so far. Mr. Bains (Mississauga-Malton, Ont.), the top official of the newly named department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (formerly Industry Canada), had 116 communication reports filed since the new government took office in […]
Women in STEM is necessary for an innovative and prosperous country
Canada is most prosperous when all Canadians have a fair chance to succeed. These were the words used by Navdeep Bains, minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, during the Canadian government’s announcement of its innovation agenda last Tuesday afternoon in Ottawa. We at Ladies Learning Code could not agree more. Over the last five […]
Canada should talk trade, climate change, Venezuela at Three Amigos summit
The North American Leaders’ Summit that Canada will host at the end of June comes at a critical moment in the North American relationship. As we are nearing the end of United States President Barack Obama’s second term, some have suggested that expectations for the summit are low. I disagree. The trilateral relationship is tremendously […]
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 […]
Why the Federal Court set top box ruling threatens Canada’s innovation balance
OTTAWA—The ability to record television programs is a feature that most consumers take for granted today, but when the Sony Betamax was first introduced in the 1970s, it revolutionized television and sparked high-profile lawsuits by the major Hollywood studios who wanted to block its availability. The battle between Universal Studios and Sony ultimately made its […]
Politics this morning: Senate to go round two with assisted dying bill
Today is Friday, June 17. Here’s your political briefer before heading into the weekend: There is speculation that the House of Commons may rise for summer recess starting this afternoon, depending on the outcome of the medically-assisted dying legislation in the Senate. Parliament was originally scheduled to sit until June 23, with MPs making a special […]
Intellectual property debated in Ottawa as feds host trade deal consultations
The debate over intellectual property rights in Canadian health care continues as the government holds public consultations on a major Pacific rim trade deal. Yesterday, Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.,) held a “town hall” on the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership at the University of Toronto. The Trudeau government signed the deal in February but says it […]
Without cities, we won’t have an innovative Canada
TORONTO—Cities are taking greater charge of their futures—in fact, they don’t have a choice if they want to prosper in a global economy. What we see in the Communitech centre in Kitchener, at Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone in Toronto, or in the crowded incubator space at Invest Ottawa, are start-up cities. But they are […]
