Too much of a good thing: Canada’s consultation crisis
After years of often feeling excluded from the policy-making and legislative process, many civil society groups were excited by the prospect of a new government committed to public consultations and feedback. The Liberal government moved quickly to consult on all manner of issues, providing hope that an emphasis on participatory democracy would lead to better […]
Trade and innovation topped September lobbying
PARLIAMENT HILL—The staff tasked with implementing the Liberal innovation plan were lobbied the most last month, because “all roads go through” Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains’ office, insiders say. Mr. Bains himself was only the third most lobbied minister, however, with International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice-Champlain, Que.) and Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay (Cardigan, P.E.I.) seeing the […]
Feds have to ‘tread carefully’ on cultural policy after Quebec blowback, say political players
Quebecers are more likely to be invested in the idea of Canada having a distinct cultural identity that needs protecting, which could possibly spell political trouble for Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly and the Trudeau Liberals if the implementation of the government’s recently announced cultural policy doesn’t find the right balance, say cultural and political players. […]
Canada’s high-tech leaders bypassing the U.S. for success in Asia
The transformative Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) represents 40 per cent of the global population and 50 per cent of world trade. Within the 21 member economies of the APEC region, micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the drivers of growth of innovation. They account for 98 per cent of all businesses. They also […]
Investing in wireless technology is the key to innovation in Canada
Necessity is the mother of invention. Given Canada’s vast territory and large land mass, our need to find ways to stay in touch has been the driver of many a Canadian innovation, from the telephone to the first transatlantic wireless signal to mobile email. Today, telecommunications is a vital thread of our social fabric, and […]
Canada’s most-lobbied staffers drive policy tied to federal purse
Canada’s top-lobbied political staffers have “panache,” and are “affable” and “rigorous,” according to those who’ve sat down with the men who are the government’s most-sought officials based on communications reports filed in the federal lobbying registry this year. The three most in-demand staffers are all policy advisers to ministers in important departments connected to Liberal […]
Diversity is our global advantage
It used to be that North America was synonymous with innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. We were young countries willing to take risks, break down class and social barriers and challenge old myths in the hope of building something better. One of the drivers was immigration and opportunity. Brave people from around the world willing to […]
Scheer should apologize for his apology
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given the emotional and combative nature of politics, partisan jibes will always fly thick and fast, which means it’s important for politicians to learn the art of how to strategically parry insults. So how should a politician respond to an affront? Back in ancient Roman times the answer was you responded with savagery. For […]
Inclusive and responsible innovation coming full circle
OTTAWA—To say that trendy titles for creative ideas are making a comeback in policy circles would be an understatement. The semiotics surrounding this embrace for knowledge, innovation, and technology are quite rich. Inclusive, sound, responsible, open, transparent, citizen-led, human-centric are just some of the monikers now appearing on the global stage. Take, for example, the […]
Canadian communities brace for Smart Cities Challenge despite scarce details
Canadian communities are lining up to compete for millions in lucrative funding as part of a new government-organized competition designed to foster greater innovation in urban centres. The Trudeau government’s Smart Cities Challenge is launching this fall, and although details remain scarce, some municipalities are seriously preparing for the $300-million competition. “Cities are ready and […]
