A stronger knowledge union: renewing the Canada-U.S. science and technology partnership
MONTREAL—As the federal government moves to integrate, and otherwise harmonize economic, security and environment approaches to those of the U.S., an opportunity is perhaps emerging to consider strengthening the Canada-U.S. innovation space. After all, it is arguably the world’s most extensive knowledge relationship where more than one-third of the world’s R&D is conducted, and where […]
Canada consistently fails grade as innovation nation
Canada has consistently received a failing grade as an innovation nation, but it can do better by making the research and development environment more conducive to commercialization, and continuing to fund science and technology, say experts. In its report “How Canada Performs,” released on Feb. 2, the Conference Board of Canada gave Canada a “D” […]
Social scientists, humanists helping Canada harness the power of technology
The great Canadian thinker, Marshall McLuhan, would have enjoyed the recent cover of The Economist that portrayed Steve Jobs as Moses coming down from Mount Sinai to deliver his new iPad to the world. McLuhan’s famous insight that ‘the medium is the message’ resonates more than ever as new digital technologies extend our ideas and […]
Clean technologies can give Canada competitive edge in global marketplace
Canada is fortunate to have extensive natural resources which underpin our economy. Whether it be energy, agriculture or forestry, we owe it to ourselves to maximize the value of these natural resources by increasing their utilization as well as efficiency of production. In an increasingly competitive world, with economies that have lower wage and cost […]
Canada could be a leader in digital economy, says Goodyear
Canada can and should be a leader in the digital economy, says Gary Goodyear, minister of state for Science and Technology, but it will only happen with governments, academia and business working together. The government has already publicly announced the need for a nationwide strategy for the digital economy, said Mr. Goodyear (Cambridge, Ont.), also […]
A sorry state of affairs: Canada gets failing grade in science and innovation
Let’s get down to brass tacks; Canada has no science policy. It is drifting and its competitors are overtaking it. What it has is a minister of state who says exactly the same thing every time he is questioned on the subject: “Canada is making record investments in science and technology.” This is not only […]
Government won’t cuts health transfers in next budget, says Aglukkaq
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says the timeliness of the government’s response to the H1N1 vaccine rollout in the fall “was exemplary,” but wants to better communicate its message next time around. She said the government will turn to its pandemic flu plan again in the future, is pleased that 45 per cent of the population […]
Canadians need to ask tough questions about future of healthcare:
If Canada’s healthcare system continues on the same path, some predict that in 25 years it will take up 100 per cent of provincial budgets, says the president of the Canadian Medical Association. “Canadian have to decide what it is they want, and that may mean looking at some of the basic principles. Do we […]
Looking at health differently: A population health approach
OTTAWA—In 2010, Canada should adopt a different approach to health. In 2008, we spent some $172-billion on our health in Canada, roughly 10 per cent of our GDP. This amount is 60 per cent higher than the previous decade, and is expected to increase. Despite the expenditures, serious health inequalities, the No. 1 health problem […]
Canadians should put money aside today for tomorrow’s healthcare costs
TORONTO—In almost all developed countries healthcare costs have grown faster than the economy over the past few decades. Canada is no exception. From 1982 to today, Canadian healthcare costs grew on average 6.9 per cent a year, while the economy grew on average by 5.7 per cent. This growth, coupled with tax reductions, has led […]
