Feds should continue to sponsor the University of the Arctic
PARLIAMENT HILL—Discussions about the economic development of Canada’s North usually focus on areas such as capital investment or deregulation. One crucial element of economic development which needs more discussion is education, particularly post-secondary education. The individual benefits of post-secondary education are well-documented, and include better employment prospects, higher salaries, and a greater ability to […]
Feds to invest $20-million in climate change adaptation in Canada’s northern and aboriginal communities
The federal government plans to invest $20-million over the next five years in climate change adaptation for northern and aboriginal communities, but in the Far North public infrastructure and housing are already deteriorating, and disruptions to northern wildlife are taking away the livelihood of many of the region’s inhabitants. Environment Minister Peter Kent (Thornhill, […]
Canada hedging its bets on Arctic sovereignty
While Arctic sovereignty has become a leading justification for the federal government’s ambitious military procurement plans, Canada is actively involved in diplomacy and multilateral initiatives with its Arctic neighbours. Experts say that the region’s uncertain geopolitical future is forcing countries with a stake in the Arctic to balance international cooperation with national defence. “[O]ur […]
Is innovation policy an oxymoron?
OTTAWA–The above quote from the 1994 auditor general report on an innovation society and the role of government flags what many of us already know—innovation matters and innovativeness resides fundamentally in people and their practices. By embracing innovation, the AG report also underscored that Canadian governments and their public service could easily become world […]
Innovation and productivity: why aren’t we doing better?
Despite all the self-congratulatory chest thumping about our economy being the envy of the world, two areas of our performance are persistently troubling. We are lagging in innovation and productivity. Economists warn of the dangers of ignoring the trend lines, but the prescription to solve the problems is not universally agreed upon. Economists and […]
We need to make better connections to attract global investment
OTTAWA—Today’s global innovation race involves a complex web of connections. Researchers collaborate across disciplines, institutions, and borders to exchange ideas and share resources. Funding partners support research that has merit. And private-sector leaders lend their entrepreneurial spirit to the entire research enterprise. To succeed in this race, nations need to foster these connections through […]
Innovation is a highly competitive race
Research partnerships between industry and post-secondary institutions are a very important element to foster innovation and help Canadian companies compete in the global, knowledge-based economy. Kevin Lynch, vice-chair of BMO Financial and former clerk of the Privy Council has put it best: “The modern wealth of nations will be driven not only by physical […]
Canada falling behind global competitors when it comes to innovation
Despite having one of the most stable G7 economies since the global recession of 2009, Canada continues to fall behind other countries when it comes to innovation. The government has focused on tax credits as a means to incentivizing private sector research and development, but opposition critics say that the complexities of Canada’s innovation […]
Government must do better job of investing in innovation
“Discoveries in theoretical physics have driven huge practical innovations in fields like computing and electronics.” That was a phrase in a recent article noting that the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo had lured world-renowned theoretical physicist Xiao-Gang Wen away from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He will be the inaugural BMO Financial Group Isaac Newton […]
Canada needs policies to drive 21st century economy
In June, we saw troubling numbers from the most recent state of the nation report by the Science and Technology Innovation Council. Canada ranked last amongst OECD countries in direct research and development public funding, almost last in the number of patents developed, and second last in PhD graduates. R&D should be a productive engine […]
