Science review panel must tackle barriers to funding, encourage diversity: researchers
The panel convened by the Liberal government to review fundamental science in Canada must address the significant challenges young researchers, international collaborations, and multidisciplinary projects face when seeking government funding, while also imploring for bold initiatives to increase diversity, scientists and science advocates say. Former Liberal MP Ted Hsu, a research physicist and science and innovation advocate, said the formation […]
Universities call for more financial support for research, while colleges eye bigger share of funding
Advocates for Canadian post-secondary institutions are calling on the federal government to improve on the expanded investments in research seen in Budget 2016 to ensure the country can keep pace with surging global competitors. In what backers are calling the biggest increase in a decade, the Liberal government earmarked an additional $95-million this year to the Canadian granting councils, […]
Science minister sees funding gaps for young researchers, multidisciplinary and multinational research
Young researchers are starved for grants in Canada, which can make their work “impossible,” says Science Minister Kirsty Duncan. That’s one of the challenges she’s heard from scientists during her first year as minister, she said in a Nov. 10 interview after giving a speech at the Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa. She also […]
We need a return to funding basic research
It was in the spring 2012 budget that the previous Conservative government established the primacy of utilitarian, mercantile science over basic research and pure intellectual inquiry. The budget decreed that federal funds would go to research that was “business-led [and] industry-relevant.” The significant deficit in industry investment in research and development affects our economy. We […]
University and College Research
Bains, Carr, Garneau most lobbied ministers, health most lobbied topic in October
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains remained the most lobbied minister of the Trudeau cabinet in October, while health was the most lobbied issue between federal officials and lobbyists, according to the federal lobbyists registry. There were 21 communication reports filed for contact with Mr. Bains (Mississauga-Malton, Ont.) last month, according to registry numbers last week. Natural Resources […]
‘We’re the fifth largest exporter of food in the world, and the global demand is growing,’ Ag Minister MacAulay eyes opening Chinese market
PARLIAMENT HILL—Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay is eyeing the opening Chinese market as a “vitally important” market for Canadian farmers to tap into and says he wants to make sure the industry has the ability to invest in innovations that will see the country’s sector poised to meet China’s rapidly expanding growing demand. “The […]
On innovation, Canada can learn from Israel
Last spring Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains announced the federal government’s goal of making Canada an innovation superpower. Since then, the consultation process for the Canada Innovation Agenda has included a review not only of our historic approach to innovation but also of the best practices that have given other countries the edge in the new […]
Private fundraising events are a necessary evil
OTTAWA—Odious is how one Globe and Mail columnist characterized the job of private event fundraising. Lawrence Martin actually ascribed the descriptor to me, based on an interview I gave last week to CTV parliamentary bureau chief Bob Fife. Fife asked me what I thought of the current political controversy surrounding the private fundraising activities of […]
Time to walk the talk on Bombardier support
Make no mistake: the aviation industry is about to take off. Despite recent airline concerns over the rise of protectionism, annual passenger volumes will probably, at the very least, double in 20 years. In a world that can no longer afford to ignore the threat of climate change, this explosion in air travel deserves a […]
