Provinces need to protect against boom and bust cycle
Resource-heavy provinces like Alberta need to “rethink” their budgets so their poverty or prosperity aren’t at the mercy of how much their commodities are fetching at market, say economic experts. “One thing that is obvious from Canadian economic history is that staples-driven booms can end as quickly and dramatically as they begin,” writes the […]
Feds must get more involved in Canada’s natural resources to benefit country, say critics
Canada needs to have a national conversation about how to develop its natural resources, divvy up the riches and deal with climate change, says Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives executive director Bruce Campbell. “First and foremost there has to be a national conversation. I think the federal government has to take the leadership [role],” […]
Dutch disease debate ‘generating more heat than light,’ says former Environment Canada deputy minister
Economist and former Environment Canada deputy minister Paul Boothe says he doesn’t put much stock in claims that Canada’s manufacturing sector is a victim of so-called Dutch disease, but admits that the resource-rich Canadian dollar has made it harder for manufacturers to sell their products abroad. “Resource booms do have exchange rate impacts and […]
Canada’s pipeline options numerous: NRCan briefing notes
Despite the frenzied push by federal and provincial officials to sell the U.S. government on the economic benefits of approving the Keystone XL pipeline, there are multiple projects on the horizon that would send more Alberta crude to tidewater where it can command a higher price. Canada’s oil industry has “a number of pipeline […]
It’s time to put knowledge to work in Canada
Post-secondary institutions are now working to exploit more effectively the knowledge they develop, and in which governments invest, to the benefit of the Canadian economy. In the past, such efforts primarily occurred through the licensing of inventions developed in universities and colleges. This approach has proven to be disappointing. In Canada, licensing produces annually some […]
Conservatives fail to implement digital economic strategy today
Why has the federal government failed to develop a comprehensive digital economic strategy that will ensure Canada regains its role as a world leader in innovation and technology? In 2010, the Conservative government recognized the need to develop a new strategy for Canada’s digital economy and even launched public consultations on how to improve […]
B.C. universities poised to become ‘one-stop shop’ for the Prometheus Project
Three of British Columbia’s leading universities and one polytechnical institute are poised to become a “one-stop shop” for materials science and engineering innovation after receiving $7.7-million in federal funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, which is expected to be matched by the province, to launch the collaborative Prometheus Project. “[B.C. has] always had […]
Investing in state-of-the-art research infrastructure pays off, today and tomorrow
When Philippe Schick, the vice-president of engineering at Cooledge Lighting Inc., began looking for a laboratory to help his company make its product market-ready, he considered options across Canada and beyond. In the end, the Burnaby, B.C.-based business discovered that the best place to test its thin-film technology was right in its own backyard. […]
Digital health innovators embrace the challenge
OTTAWA—“There’s a way to do it better—find it,” said Thomas Edison decades ago. A similar motivation drove the Canadians who developed insulin, cardiac pacemakers, electric wheelchairs and prosthetic hands. These and other health innovations have since improved the lives of an untold number of patients from around the globe. Indeed, we can be proud of […]
Industry insiders applaud Automotive Innovation Fund renewal, but experts say it’s a political move
Automotive industry associations in Canada are applauding the federal government’s decision to renew the Automotive Innovation Fund for another five years and say the $250-million “is a highly-welcome decision,” but economic experts say opening up Canada’s market to more competition would better stimulate innovation within the industry. “It’s something which we had suggested to […]
