Building a modern shipbuilding workforce
As we modernize shipbuilding in Canada, we must also strive to modernize our workforce. The very same culture of innovation that drives us in the shipbuilding industry to pursue technological advancements in vessel construction, is driving us to find new ways to open doors for those underrepresented in the shipbuilding workforce. This is why, together […]
Territorial Development
Canada should make education a core theme in aid policy
No nation will achieve gender equality without quality education. Economic development and education similarly go hand in hand, as does educating a nation and ensuring healthcare for all its citizens. In fact, name a worthy, large-scale goal—poverty reduction, peaceful coexistence, good governance – and you’ll find a well-established link between the ability to attain it […]
Canada has yet to succeed as a scale-up nation
CANADA & THE 21ST CENTURY: PART 3 OF A 6-PART SERIES TORONTO—Canada is clearly succeeding as a start-up nation. New tech companies are being created in record numbers. This is where much innovation happens. But Canada has yet to succeed as a scale-up nation—it is failing to grow many of its start-ups into viable companies […]
Nurturing the next BlackBerry
TORONTO—Building a more innovative country, with good jobs, will depend on close collaboration among business, universities and colleges, and government. This is no time for limited or small government any more than it is a time for risk-averse businesses or academia operating in silos. As the old TV commercial used to put it, “together, we […]
The importance of military soft power
In the late 1980s, Joseph Nye coined the term “soft power” to refer to the ability of a country to shape the preferences of others. That is, the ability to shape their long-term attitudes and preferences without using “hard power” tools such as force or coercion. It is why embassies and consulates around the world […]
High schools should teach financial literacy: Chagger
Canada’s small business and tourism minister wants to see more high schools in Canada teaching financial literacy. Minister of Small Business and Tourism Bardish Chagger (Waterloo, Ont.) told a May 10 Ottawa panel that she has been crisscrossing the country “encouraging women to take the leap into business.” She said the issue of women’s lack […]
Canada needs an ‘Own the Podium’ strategy for clean energy
Last week’s signing of the Paris climate accord marks the start of a new age, with huge implications for Canada. The fossil fuels that power the global economy today are entering a permanent—if slow—decline. Gone are cozy assumptions of endless growth in oil exports. Winners in the high stakes global energy market of the 21st […]
Learning the ropes of House committees
Re: “‘It’s been quite a learning curve,’ rookie Grit MPs want more House committee training, but veteran Liberal, opposition MPs say time’s up,” (The Hill Times, March 28, p. 1). It was with significant interest that I read this article. I was an MLA in the Yukon government from 2002 until 2011 and was a cabinet […]
Universities keen to boost Brazil ties, but there’s a snag
OTTAWA—The Rio Olympics start in just over 100 days. The world’s athletes have long been preparing for Brazil. So have Canada’s universities. Despite recent political and economic turmoil, Brazil remains an important strategic partner for Canada, and our governments have been pursuing cross-sector strengthening of connections. The university sector is leading the way. Last month, […]
