Contact-tracing app faces big technological problems in urban environments, studies say
A pair of research studies from June suggest there could be serious flaws in the COVID-19 exposure notification app promoted by Canada’s federal government. COVID Alert has been out for nearly one month and has been downloaded by some two million Canadians, according to a spokesperson for the Canadian Digital Service. The app, which is based […]
Feds must act now, or risk losing generation of entrepreneurs
With the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 on the horizon and borders restricted, federal and provincial governments have called for the establishment of domestic supply chains and doubled down on support for Canadian innovations, opening up new procurement opportunities and funding programs. While these efforts will help mid- and large-size companies survive, what […]
Feds must act now, or risk losing generation of entrepreneurs
With the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 on the horizon and borders restricted, federal and provincial governments have called for the establishment of domestic supply chains and doubled down on support for Canadian innovations, opening up new procurement opportunities and funding programs. While these efforts will help mid- and large-size companies survive, what […]
Tech sector eyes procurement as way to stimulate business
As Canada’s tech sector grapples with the fallout of COVID-19, more nimble federal procurement practices are being eyed as a lever to stimulate the sector’s recovery, particularly among small- and medium-sized businesses, and to drive innovation in the public and private sectors. The market Documents released to the House Standing Committee on Government Operations and […]
Successful U.A.E. launch of mission to Mars a symbol of hope when needed the most
With the world dealing with a global pandemic—and being faced with life and death issues like never before, the July 19 historic launch of the United Arab Emirates’ (U.A.E.) Hope Mission to Mars truly serves as a beacon of hope for all. The unmanned probe soared from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan, headed on […]
Lack of privacy oversight could hurt buy-in for COVID contact-tracing app, say critics
As a new national app to help trace the contacts of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 prepares for a test rollout in Ontario, opposition MPs say it hasn’t been sufficiently scrutinized by the federal and provincial privacy commissioners and that Canada’s privacy laws don’t provide enough protection for users, which could lead to […]
It’s easy to see why U.S. Big Tech sees Canada as a happy hunting ground
TORONTO—Investment Canada boasts that “it continues to play an important role in encouraging investments from global companies.” But is this mission out of date? Much foreign investment in Canada today consists of Big Tech firms acquiring Canadian tech companies for their patents and other intellectual property and access to their talent, or in establishing R&D […]
Federal, provincial watchdogs still waiting for full privacy assessment on national contact-tracing app
The federal privacy commissioner says Health Canada only submitted documentation on the new voluntary national contact-tracing app to its office last Friday, June 19—a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the new app is set to roll out in Ontario on July 2. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner […]
Wind and solar groups unite in new national renewable energy association ‘during this period of historical global transformation’
As the coronavirus restrictions continue to ease across the country, a new national renewable energy association is getting ready to push to ensure “renewable energy and energy storage play a central role in transforming Canada’s energy mix during this period of historical global transformation,” reads a press release from the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. On […]
We need a different kind of industrial strategy
TORONTO—Think of all the tradable goods and services we produce across Canada— from canola oil and Canada Goose parkas, to tourism and Shopify’s e-commerce platform—as Canada’s export catalogue. That’s what we are offering to sell to the rest of the world—and the success of our catalogue determines how well we do as Canadians. Whether people […]
