Arctic policy framework released ‘last minute’ ahead of October election, say experts
After nearly three years of waiting, the release of the Trudeau government’s much-anticipated Arctic policy framework was rushed ahead of the looming election, possibly with the aim of avoiding a campaign “vulnerability” for the Liberals, say experts. The Arctic and Northern Policy Framework was released with little fanfare on Sept. 10, just a day before […]
Outdated data infrastructure is stifling Canadian innovation in health
When clinicians care for patients, we generate enormous amounts of electronic clinical data. Every blood test, X-ray, or medication forms a rich repository of information. Combined across the health system, these billions of data points are the kind of ‘big data’ that could be used to improve patient care, make the health system more efficient […]
Canada needs a biotech strategy to turn scientific capital into commercial gold
TORONTO—Canada is rich in the scientific capital needed to make us a serious player in the transformative world of biotechnology. This capital is the new knowledge generated in our universities, where researchers are seeking ways in which biological technologies can be used to address the grand challenges in life sciences, agriculture and food, the environment, […]
Canada should focus on game-changing technologies that can improve health care
With the federal election underway, Canadians across the country are going to be hearing a lot about health care over the next several weeks, and rightly so. With health-care spending exceeding 10 per cent of Canada’s GDP and accounting for nearly 50 per cent of many government budgets, it is an important topic and one […]
Dominic Barton’s appointment as envoy to Beijing a cause for optimism
OTTAWA—It is rare to see the word “agrément” in a newspaper story. And yet, there it was last week, as McKinsey managing director Dominic Barton was accepted by China as Canada’s new ambassador to Beijing. Often, agrément takes weeks, or months, as the processing of diplomats in and out of a capital can be very […]
U.S. co-operation needed to put end to trade friction with China
OTTAWA—China and the United States are the world’s two largest economies and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Therefore maintaining a healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations serves the fundamental interests of the two and the rest of the world. Unilaterally starting a trade war against China with measures of extreme pressure […]
Assad’s grip on power hampers Canadian humanitarian assistance to Syria, say experts
As the Syrian Civil War nears its end, with the Syrian government controlling the vast majority of the war-torn country, Syrian experts say Canadian assistance is doing as well as can be expected. Currently, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government holds control of the great majority of Syria, which has been engulfed in civil war since […]
Parties take on phone bills, internet prices in election platforms
Unlike the 2015 race, affordable cell phone and internet bills—and better access in rural areas—are shaping up as key campaign planks so far this election, say consumer advocates, who are praising party pitches so far as a step forward but caution they’re short on details. There has been a “big shift” with these issues getting […]
With drug plan, Trump tosses another nasty, disingenuous grenade into U.S.-Canada relations
OTTAWA—Blaming foreign “freeloaders” for the outrageous cost of pharmaceuticals in the United States, President Donald Trump has injected another potential irritant into his country’s vexed relations with Canada. The White House has been working on a proposal aimed at allowing American patients to import cheaper medications from outside the country, under the oversight of the […]
Canadian soldiers shouldn’t be props in controversial commemoration
OTTAWA—There was a bizarre little story last week out of Ukraine, which was picked up by Radio-Canada International. It centred on Canada’s official participation in the dedication of a monument at a Jewish cemetery in the town of Sambir. Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk and at least three uniformed Canadian military personnel took part […]
