Nuclear technology’s no game, prime minister
At a time when he is already being criticized for undermining the major conference on climate change in Copenhagen, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is desperately looking for good news for Quebecers and all Canadians that might improve the poor image he has projected internationally in the past. This is especially true given that the Prime […]
Natural resources industry stakeholders positive about stake in future knowledge economy
As a country of hewers of wood and drawers of water, Canada’s natural resources industry has fuelled the economy for years. The economic downturn has significantly impacted the oil and gas, forestry and mining sectors, but all are confident they will rebound and continue to be a major part of Canada’s future knowledge economy, say […]
Times of crisis call for leadership
Unfortunately, faced with massive job losses and an impending climate disaster, the Harper government has instead chosen to be a laggard. When Canada should be investing in new economic innovation, the government is doubling down on dated technologies and ineffective new ones. Europe, the United States, and China smartly invested public funds in the creation […]
Collaborative approach passes field test on Mongolian grasslands
OTTAWA—Common property resources such as soil and water are the stuff of life. But they are also potentially rivalrous and, if not managed wisely, can be used up. This year’s Nobel Prize in economics highlighted this fundamental global fact in honouring Elinor Ostrom for her work on the governance of “common pool” resources, such as […]
Time to open up knowledge generation to people untrained in science
VANCOUVER, B.C.—Until recently the notion of “democratizing” science—reforming the scientific elite—seemed ridiculous to me. I had spent years of my life in graduate school, surrounded by fleece-wearing, coffee-drinking, slightly introverted physicists. I saw no evidence of an elite. But working in women’s health research over the last few years, I have begun to understand how […]
A new model of innovation for successful societies
OTTAWA—As the first decade of the 21st century draws to a close, a new model of innovation is placing people squarely at centre stage. In recent decades, the dominant concept of innovation has evolved from a linear-transfer “push” model, to a more iterative “chain-link” model, and most recently to a complex model connecting researchers to […]
Feds need to tap into global innovation opportunities
Although the federal government is doing a good job at investing in research and development, Canada is still in the bottom half of OECD countries when it comes to innovation and both businesses and governments should be looking at different ways to tap into global innovation opportunities, say experts. “I think the first thing that […]
Canada needs a branding makeover in global, knowledge-based economy
Many would agree that the beaver, a traditional national branding symbol, just doesn’t quite cut it in a rapidly-changing, highly-mobile, knowledge-based economy. Don’t get me wrong, beavers are cute, if you like water rodents. The mascot of our five-cent coin, the beaver symbolizes the amiable industriousness often associated with Canada. Advertising professionals will tell you […]
Time to tackle Canada’s productivity challenge
The global economy is experiencing the biggest downturn since the Great Depression, and according to the IMF, this is the first time in 60 years that it will shrink. The federal government reacted swiftly by implementing Canada’s Economic Action Plan, providing $40-billion over two years in stimulus. When combined with provincial funds, the total stimulus […]
Key to robust innovation lies in effective matchmaking between scientists and stakeholders
WATERLOO, ONT.—When budgets are tightened in industry and government, research laboratories are traditionally the first to feel the effects. I believe that knowledge transfer between research and its beneficiaries, advocates, and stakeholders is essential to protect project development and stimulate innovation at a time when it is most needed. But efficient knowledge transfer and uptake […]
