Government ‘rubber stamping’ GMOs for public consumption, says NDP MP
Canadian consumers are not getting the full story on what’s in the food they eat, says NDP MP Alex Atamanenko, whose private member’s bill would require mandatory labelling of any food that contains genetically modified components. “It’s important for us to know as consumers, if what we buy off the shelf contains GMOs or […]
Biotechnology research: a knowledge economy
Obesity, cancer, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, or the more general stresses of an aging population: no matter which area of concern holds our collective gaze from moment to moment, improving health outcomes and healthcare is the No. 1 challenge for the world’s economy. Canada has the holistic approach and translational […]
Feds must decide: To what extent does Canada want a biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry?
Greg Rickford, Conservative MP for Kenora, Ont., is the new minister of state for Science and Technology. His government must decide to what extent does Canada want a biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry. What industrial policy is the government willing to put forward to support this? Such a policy must include support for basic research and its […]
CETA best fix for Canada’s ‘bad reputation’ with IP protection, say experts
Patent protection for biopharmaceuticals is increasingly under the radar in this country as Canada and the European Union continue to negotiate the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and some observers say the trade agreement is a perfect opportunity for Canada to shake its worsening reputation surrounding intellectual property (IP) protection. “Unfortunately over the […]
Biotech lobby optimistic on intellectual property reforms
Canada’s biotech industry association is siding with pharmaceutical developers on proposed intellectual property reforms related to Canada-EU free trade negotiations, but a leading expert on patent law warns that tougher protections could stifle life science innovation. BIOTECanada president and CEO Andrew Casey told The Hill Times that his organization is “very supportive” of reforms […]
National Research Council has become a ‘1-800 concierge service’
With more than 500 companies operating across Canada, the biotechnology and life sciences sector is a vital and growing part of Canada’s knowledge economy. By developing innovative products used throughout the supply chain, biotech firms are working to transform many other industries as well. Bio-based materials and plastics enable our manufacturers to produce goods […]
Government subsidies for Canadian biofuel industry winding down
The government has recently indicated it will cut support for the biofuel industry—both by capping how much renewable fuel Canadians have in their gas tanks and by cutting funding for prospective biofuel producers—but an industry insider says minimizing government involvement in biofuel production is a positive step, as he’s “wary of technology that requires […]
New Science Minister Rickford faces steep learning curve on important file
New Science minister Greg Rickford will have his work cut out in balancing the job of promoting innovation in the science and tech sectors with his role in promoting economic development in Northern Ontario. Renewing an out of date Science and Technology Strategy, liaising between industry and the government, and addressing the concerns of […]
Prime Minister Harper had two plans in latest Cabinet shuffle: Andrew Cardozo
OTTAWA—Stephen Harper had two plans in this latest shuffle. Plan ‘A’: this is the shuffle that will hit the reset button and this is the Cabinet that will take him into the next election. The much-ballyhooed generational change is really an acceptance of just how concerned the Conservatives are about Justin Trudeau. Harper recognizes […]
Farewell Rae; Harper has some decisions to make; and Nenshi charms Ottawa
OTTAWA—Bob Rae is leaving federal politics! This is not only a loss for the Liberal Party, but a loss for the House. Rae is a career politician who leaves with his head held high and his ethical reputation intact. He loved politics, was in for the right reasons, and, despite his difficult tenure as […]
