Canadians clearly deserve better from their science advisory apparatus
OTTAWA—“It is not enough for scientists to have responsibility as citizens. They have a much greater one than that and different in kind. For scientists have a moral imperative to say what they know. It is going to make them unpopular. It may do worse than make them unpopular. That doesn’t matter.”—C.P. Snow. By […]
Innovation in Health IT will improve health, fuel growth
It may sound like a magic elixir that boosts productivity while also improving care, but when it comes to our health system, we’ve all seen the results of innovation. Recent advances have led to improvements in childhood cancer survival and minimally invasive surgery, to name just two examples with global impact. Here in Canada, […]
Time to unleash new cultures of innovation
Successful innovation emerges from robust cultures of innovation. This new insight is the central conclusion of a steady stream of research reports that have overturned 20th century assumptions about applied research, technology transfer, and commercialization. Leading businesses and organizations now seek to unleash cultures of innovation within their operations and in partnership with post-secondary […]
Feds should be nurturing innovative, technology-intensive companies
Canada’s future depends very much on its participation in the knowledge economy. Research and development, innovation, and commercialization will all drive Canada’s economic growth in the coming years and decades. We have a rich base of innovative, technology-intensive companies, including many in the natural resource sector, and the government should be nurturing these businesses […]
NCE R&D models continue to solve today’s innovation needs
The suite of research, commercialization and training programs administered by Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) brings together a critical mass of public and private sector talent in a unique, high-impact innovation ecosystem. Networks and centres funded through the NCE address challenging social and economic issues through a team approach that encourages synergy […]
Feds refuse to talk to our innovators about how things might be improved
Policy leaders across the world’s most advanced countries loudly proclaim economic advancement within the 21st century will rely increasingly on innovation and technology. Many have successfully implemented strategies to increase innovation. In order to boost competitiveness, such as massive investments in science and technology and empowering their country’s best minds to explore and discover. […]
No guarantee CETA concessions will bolster pharmaceutical R&D investment in Canada
Canada-Europe free trade negotiations are entering the final stages, and stricter patent protection for prescription drugs is on the table. The deal could mean higher costs for Canadians, but experts say there’s no guarantee it will revitalize Canada’s pharmaceutical R&D sector. The federal government is considering significant changes to its intellectual property (IP) regime […]
Carbon pricing driving innovation in British Columbia and Alberta
The federal government says carbon pricing is off the table, but if it changes its mind it can look to Canada’s western-most provinces for inspiration. Alberta has had a carbon tax in place since 2007, while British Columbia has been taxing emissions since 2008, and there are signs that the programs are promoting innovation […]
Industry-led R&D a top priority in feds’ five-year agriculture plan
Agriculture Canada is partnering with the provinces and territories to invest $3-billion in agricultural innovation over the next five years, but opposition parties are raising concerns that the funding comes at the expense of business risk management programs that protect farmers in bad years. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, Sask.) told The Hill Times […]
Digital media industry looks to leverage federal support into international advantage
Canada’s digital media industry is hoping that with a little support from the federal government it will be able to solidify the country’s position as a worldwide hub for digital media innovation. “We think that Canada is well-poised to stake a massive claim as a key digital entertainment cluster,” Canadian Film Centre chief digital […]
