‘There’s a nuclear renaissance,’ and Canada wants a piece of it, says Raitt
Although Canada should be building more renewable energy resources, the oil sands still need to be developed because there will be a gap between energy supply and demand in the very near future, says Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt. “We’ve taken an aggressive stance in talking about the wonderful asset of fossil fuel that we […]
Time to invest more, not less, in Canadian know-how, innovation and technology
Canada has been blessed with a tremendous wealth of natural resources. Our forestry, mining and energy industries have been the backbone of our economy and the lifeblood of small towns and rural communities from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia. A strong commitment to research and development, coupled with innovative leadership and technological advances, have […]
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 […]
Reconceptualize science to reduce violence in our world
TORONTO—Albert Einstein used to say that “science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” We can also add that: “Science without democracy is arbitrary, as democracy without science is ignorant.” The interface between democracy and science has always been a complex and problematic one, which, to be properly understood, must be situated in […]
Goodyear says feds’ top priority is economy, boosting innovation
The federal government is trying to stop Canada’s innovation decline through its science and technology strategy and by investing more than $5-billion in new S&T initiatives, says Science and Technology Minister of State Gary Goodyear (Cambridge, Ont.) in an email interview with The Hill Times for this week’s “Innovation Policy Briefing.” You were at the […]
Establish Canada as hub for next wave of knowledge industries and make it a national priority
VANCOUVER, B.C.—If you want to get into the mining business, you need an ore body. If you’re going into the oil business, you need oil. And if you’re a nation looking to build a knowledge economy, you need knowledge workers—and plenty of them. Therein lies the conundrum facing our governments as they seek to transform […]
Transforming science and technology into innovation
“Well informed people know that it is impossible to transmit their voices over wires and that, were it possible to do so, the thing would be of no practical value.”—Boston Post, editorial, 1865 OTTAWA—Recent reports and editorials have highlighted Canada’s lagging performance in science—and technology-related innovation and competitiveness. Analysis reveals that, despite a strong science […]
