Confessions of a former digital utopian
Consider this a confession of a former digital utopian. When I was first elected as an MP, I believed that Parliamentarians needed to protect the “open” internet and embrace what we thought of as the digital commons. I swallowed the Silicon Valley line that government regulation would impede innovation. What was at stake was the […]
Digital Privacy and Security
‘A diversity of thought, experience, background, breeds great research’: Duncan trumpets equity in science and research
With increased diversity, equity, and inclusion, Canadian research improves, says Science Minister Kirsty Duncan. In a wide-ranging May 3 phone interview, Ms. Duncan (Etobicoke North, Ont.) pointed to the impact that changes in Canada Research Chairs have had. She said for the first time in Canadian history, half of those nominated for Canada Research Chairs […]
Broad scope needed for Canada’s upcoming Athena SWAN program, say stakeholders
A pilot program the government is expected to launch soon to boost diversity in the research ranks should include a variety of institutions in order to have the impact the feds intend, says two organizations representing post-secondary institutions at the national level. Universities have varying needs and challenges when it comes to achieving equity goals, […]
The future of work will determine the future of equality
The future of work is here. Technological disruption is already rapidly changing work, but we still have little idea of what the job market will look like in the years ahead here in Canada or elsewhere, including in developing countries. Because we know little about what impact automation technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics […]
Feds hope low earth orbiting satellites are answer for rural broadband access
In the recent budget, the government announced $1.7-billion for its plan to get broadband access for all Canadian homes by 2030, but how much funding will go to satellites to cover the most remote and northern communities remains unclear. In the 2019 budget, the Liberal government announced $1.7-billion for the Universal Broadband Fund, which will […]
Research & Innovation Policy Briefing
Parties wading deeper into ‘Wild West’ of text-message outreach
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Conservative Party’s headline-grabbing move to text thousands of Canadians about the Liberal government’s incoming carbon tax at the end of March was only scratching the surface of how text messaging is being used by political campaigns to reach out to voters, donors, and volunteers, both in Canada and south of the border. All […]
The North needs more infrastructure to unlock its wealth potential
Few industries come to mind that have a stronger connection and reliance on infrastructure than the mining sector. Frequently situated in remote and northern regions, mines are often located in areas without any roads, telecommunications services, or easily accessible transportation, all essential to getting goods to market. Nowhere is Canada’s infrastructure deficit more acute than […]
New NAFTA deal gets it right on digital trade
Canada has quickly become a leader in digital innovations. Our federal government has, in the last few years, launched superclusters across the country, with the goal of transforming our innovation economy. We are leading the world in the development of artificial intelligence, with research hubs in Montreal and Waterloo, among other cities. And we are […]
