The time for innovation in higher education is now
This month, Concordia University is launching its Innovation Lab, a bold move to support students to become skilled and confident innovators who can turn ideas into solutions that make the world a better place. The Lab is one response to the era of profound changes arriving at dizzying speeds, prompted by the growth and spread […]
Collaborative effort needed to bridge the digital divide
Many Canadians in remote northern communities cannot depend on the internet for essential tasks for school or work, or for leisure activities like entertainment or social media. There is, in short, a deep digital divide between remote communities and the rest of the country. Historically, internet service providers (ISPs) have been the primary stakeholders tasked […]
Indigenous connectivity and federal funding: a priority or hope deferred?
In the Sept. 23, 2020, Throne Speech, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to invest $1.75-billion into internet connectivity for all Canadians, with a focus on rural and Indigenous communities as part of that priority. “The prime minister said the government is now on track to connect 98 per cent of Canadians to high-speed by 2026, […]
Asking ‘Isaac Pewton’ to innovate out of a crisis
With Canadians’ mounting frustration and the dwindling prospects of exiting this pandemic any time soon, it is vital that we unite as a nation to innovate. How Canada continues to respond to the pandemic will also define how we respond to future global challenges. Leading the development of new vaccines, more effective personal protective equipment, […]
Artificial intelligence another avenue for government to thwart transparency
OTTAWA—Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in use at federal agencies are rarely publicly known or sufficiently scrutinized. Yet the algorithms in play to either assist or replace the judgment of human decision-makers can make predictions, recommendations, and decisions that can significantly impact individuals and public policy. One example recently brought to light: the Globe and Mail […]
Dedicated B.C. regional development agency to bring bigger focus to tech sector, innovation: MPs and stakeholders
Parliamentarians and stakeholders from British Columbia are welcoming the government’s efforts to establish a new regional development agency for the Pacific province, saying it represents a shift from viewing the West as a “monolith,” will benefit the province’s flourishing tech sector, and will help spur innovation in more traditional resource-based industries. “The tech sector has […]
Canadians cannot continue to wait for high-speed broadband everywhere
The past several months have taught us a lot. One thing we know now, more than ever before, is how essential reliable and affordable high-speed broadband internet is for Canadians. With people sheltering at home, and with schools and businesses closed, Canadians need a fast and reliable internet connection to communicate for work and school […]
Innovation
Dreams are fine but results are much better
TORONTO—Around the world, countries are looking to a green recovery, with big plans to generate investment and jobs through innovative clean technologies. One of the biggest targets is the design and production of batteries for motor vehicles, rail, and urban transit, shipping and aviation, as well as large-scale storage systems for renewable energy Canada is one […]
Pandemic exposing critical gaps in health workforce planning
Health workers in Canada experience endemic levels of burnout directly related to understaffing and work overload. Leaves of absence from work for mental health and stress related issues are 1.5 times higher among health workers than the rest of the population. Increasingly, health workers are significantly reducing their hours worked, just to cope, or leaving […]
