There are steps Canadians can take to ensure we put our best foot forward
WATERLOO—VUCA. Volatility. Uncertainty. Complexity. Ambiguity. In the aftermath of a federal election—a war of words between our political parties—this post-Cold War term is one many people in business and policy worlds are dealing with every day. There’s more at work than just the machinations of government, though, as our leaders try to navigate changes of […]
Four years in, ISED gets mixed reviews
Innovation experts and former Department of Industry staffers say four years after Prime Minister Trudeau created the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), the department has grown into the second most important economic portfolio behind Finance in this government, and praise how the department has handled certain files, while criticizing its approach to […]
Real innovation required
Canadian innovation policy is in tatters. Renewing it should be a priority for the new government. It is just corporate welfare dressed up in an emperor’s shiny new drag. Politically useful, yes, but not sound policy; cost without benefit. And it is a very big cost. It has been reported that 92 separate programs currently […]
Canada has to achieve its goals for a more innovative economy
TORONTO—We don’t know whether Navdeep Bains will be reappointed as minister for innovation, science, and economic development when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveils his new cabinet on Nov. 20. But what we do know is that whoever fills the portfolio will have to do a much better job than has been done so far if […]
Canada needs a more comprehensive innovation framework
Canada has an innovation challenge. For decades, growth in our productivity, or what we are able to produce with our available resources, has lagged behind that of most developed countries, and innovation is a key driver of productivity growth. This poor performance matters, as it limits our competitiveness and our ability to raise living standards […]
Renewing the social contract for science and innovation
Federal elections are often about the economy, health care, or the environment. In the mostly content-free campaign Canadians just experienced, climate change was arguably the dominant issue. Flying below the radar, impacting each of these issues, are science and innovation. Yet they were largely absent from the national discussion. Science is crucial for providing the […]
Is it time for Canada and the world to create carbon parks?
Parks and protected areas have been established across Canada to conserve many things we value. Banff National Park was originally established in 1885 to protect hot springs and breathtaking scenery for tourists. In 1893, Algonquin Provincial Park was set up to protect forested headwaters from settlement and land clearing. Over the last 134 years, more […]
Intersection of climate change and innovation a natural home for government policy
There is an increasing recognition of the critical role government plays in creating new industries through direct support for innovation: government has and needs to continue to “pick winners.” The challenges presented by “carbon lock-in,” the complex interdependent technological networks, institutions and cultural practices that make a transition away from a high carbon system more […]
Innovation Policy Briefing
Changing the conversation around brain health and aging
Nearly 600,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, and this number is growing. It’s important to challenge the belief that dementia is inevitable as we age. The truth is, dementia is not a natural part of getting older, although age remains the biggest risk factor. After 65, a person’s likelihood of […]
