Lessons from a Calgary kitchen floor
Donna Sharman learned a vital lesson when she collapsed on her kitchen floor in Calgary four years ago: health research saves lives, including hers. Then 59, she hit the floor without warning because of a blood clot in her brain, causing a stroke. That was the unlucky part of her day. Her luck turned when […]
No worries: Aerospace industry not fazed by melding of Harper-era R&D program into general innovation fund
Aerospace industry advocates are expressing support for the folding of the federal government’s Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) into Ottawa’s broader innovation fund, saying the move better meets current research and development needs. Along with two other industry-specific programs, SADI was consolidated into the $1.26-billion Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) in the 2017 budget, which […]
Applied research: time to move beyond pilot projects
When Ottawa-based entrepreneur Ke Wang had the brilliant idea of using his smartphone to control certain tasks on his power wheelchair, and therefore regain some of his autonomy, he knew he needed support to bring his innovative concept to reality. Like a growing number of entrepreneurs and small-business owners, he turned to his local college […]
Scientist advocacy ‘most active’ in years since Naylor report’s release, next budget ‘test’ of Ottawa’s commitment to fundamental research
Universities and research advocates have ramped up pressure on Ottawa to increase support for fundamental research in anticipation of 2018’s budget, with observers saying it’s the most active and loudest advocacy effort from the scientific community witnessed in years. The research community has been abuzz since the April release of the fundamental science review panel’s […]
Canada needs to address water pollution from tailings ponds
FORT MCMURRAY, ALTA.—It was extremely disappointing to read the Government of Canada’s response, earlier this month, to accusations that it was sitting idly by while oil sands tailings ponds were leaking contaminants into rivers and lakes in northern Alberta. High concentrations of toxins have been detected in groundwater and surface water. But the government argued […]
NDP planning historic, secret vote in House to keep private member’s bill from sinking
NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson is looking to dust off a never-before-used parliamentary manoeuvre in an effort to keep her private member’s bill on abandoned vessels from fading into legislative oblivion. Ms. Malcolmson (Nanaimo-Ladysmith, B.C.) plans to become the first MP in Canadian history to trigger a vote by secret ballot in the House over an […]
Ethical issues dogging Morneau could become a major credibility problem for Liberals by 2019 election, say some Grits
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should take proactive action to deal with the ethical issues involving Finance Minister Bill Morneau and his chief fundraiser Stephen Bronfman because it could slowly erode the Grits’ political capital and goodwill with voters and become a major credibility problem in the 2019 election, say some Liberals. “It’s going to be […]
Cannabis Act, finance minister’s ethics controversy to be front-and-centre for last sitting stretch of 2017
The House is back for the final four-week legislative stretch of the year and while the government is looking to make progress on its Cannabis Act, Bill C-45, opposition House leaders say they will continue to hammer away at Finance Minister Bill Morneau in the daily 45-minute drama Question Period. “We have a prime minister […]
Is Canada willing to take the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence protection as seriously as the Americans?
Ask any advocate: it’s hard to get people whipped up about Great Lakes and St. Lawrence protection unless rivers burn before their eyes, as the Cayuhoga River did back in 1969. Yet, when the Trump administration threatened to eliminate all funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative earlier this year, something remarkable happened. The region’s […]
Canada needs to invest in success, meet its land and ocean protection commitments
Canada is a nation deeply connected to nature. Our land, freshwater and ocean environments are the lifeblood of our country and shape our national identity. Healthy ecosystems underpin our economy, culture, history, health and well-being. Yet Canada is struggling to meet its commitment to formally protect natural heritage in many regions of the country. With […]
