New PM Martin has ‘dramatically’ expanded environment portfolio, says Environment Minister David Anderson
Prime Minister Paul Martin has “dramatically” expanded the environment portfolio to include Parks Canada, the Minister of State for Infrastructure, the Canada Lands Company, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Queen’s Quay, says Environment Minister David Anderson, who points out that he will also be working more closely with Scott Brison, the new Parliamentary […]
An open letter to new Industry Minister Robillard
Dear Madame Minister: Congratulations on your appointment as the Minister of Industry. You should be especially proud to be the first woman to hold the position. I would like to take this opportunity to offer you some thoughts concerning your new portfolio. Outstanding House Business There are currently three bills in the mix. The first […]
Large innovation gap persists between Canada and U.S.
Though the Canadian economy remains one of the fastest-growing in the G8, a large “innovation gap” continues to exist between Canada and its biggest trading partner south of the border, says Canada’s new Industry Minister Lucienne Robillard. The new minister, who last month replaced Allan Rock who was appointed Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, […]
Inadequate biotechnology
Canada has one of the world’s strongest biotechnology sectors, but a lot of work and investment is still needed in research and development (R&D) to find markets that are not already developed internationally. The industrial fabric could be strengthened if the provincial and federal governments invested more money in R&D. However, we must not invest […]
Fuelling pipeline of health innovation
Health research is fuelling a culture of innovation. It is the beginning of a pipeline of discovery that ends with Canadians — with their improved health and with the strengthened economic performance that benefits the entire country. One of the many examples of this pipeline can be found right here in Ottawa. Dr. Robert Korneluk, […]
Canadian biotech industry one of the best in world, but fragile
This is an edited excerpt of Paul Martin’s speech he delivered to the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal on Sept. 18. Please read Mr. Martin’s full speech on his website at paulmartintimes.ca By Liberal MP PAUL MARTIN MONTREAL, QUE.–Canada is well-established in two of the most important transformative and enabling technologies: information and communications […]
R&D continues to take a back seat in Canada
Research and development is vital if Canada is serious about making a successful transition to a knowledge-based economy. Decisions made today, or the lack of a decision, will have repercussions well into the middle of this century. While John Manley, when he was industry minister, confirmed that Cabinet had approved in principal the construction of […]
Biosciences will help shape our future: Minister Pagtakhan
The United Nations is projecting that the global population will reach 8.9 billion by 2050, up from 6.3 billion today. When we consider the societal challenges we face now, the global demographic pressures, and, more recently, the threat of bioterrorism, there is cause for concern. How will our world feed so many people, care for […]
Governing Liberals must say no to GM wheat: Proctor
The New Democratic Party, at its 1999 convention, debated the important issues surrounding biotechnology as applied to food production. The resulting party resolution called for a national public discussion on the genetic modification of food. That has never happened, and the Liberal government persists in its uncritical promotion of the biotechnology industry in ways that […]
Government must create climate of transparency
It is ironic that we can live in an age where information is so freely available, and still resort to ill-informed emotional responses to scientific developments. In the case of biotechnology and food, the emotions are understandable. After all, this is what we’re going to feed our children; grown in soil that we must preserve […]
