Why Canada needs a cyber security foreign policy
War or peace in cyberspace? This basic question was the theme of a recent gathering of cyber security experts held at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Ont. Unlike many such meetings, the focus was on international policy and the status to be accorded this vital, if vulnerable, environment. There has been a […]
Data is the next frontier for environmental entrepreneurs
More than 150 Canadian entrepreneurs and other senior leaders in business and government recently gathered in Ottawa at Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s annual summit to discuss the changing global competitive environment for clean technologies. Not so long ago, the discussion would have been dominated by talk about money—or the lack thereof—and the challenges of starting […]
Bill banning marketing of unhealthy food and drink faces final hurdle
There is an obesity crisis in Canada and a look through the lobbyist registry helps explain why. My bill, the Child Health Protection Act, passed the Senate in September. Since then—and I’m borrowing a phrase that has too often been used to describe bills being considered by the Senate—it has languished in the House of […]
Trans Mountain pipeline myth-busting, of a different sort
PARLIAMENT HILL—In last week’s Hill Times online, Colleen Collins of the Canada West Foundation promised to bust myths about Kinder Morgan. Instead, she gave us just another dose of propaganda. Allow me to respond. Diluted bitumen spills can’t be cleaned up Collins claims that the 2010 Enbridge spill in the Kalamazoo River proves diluted bitumen […]
Canada’s banking sector must innovate or risk falling behind, say prestigious Donner Prize-winning authors
Following their Donner Prize win on May 15 for the best public policy book by a Canadian author, Patricia Meredith and James Darroch say their hope is for the banking industry to adapt to new payment technology especially to help small- and medium-sized businesses. The prestigious $50,000 prize is given annually to a book that helps widen […]
Duncan dishes on unmuzzling scientists, diversity around the research table, and data security
Coming off a so-called “science budget” that infused $4-billion into Canada’s science and research community and $2.8-billion to renew federal science labs, you could say it’s been a pretty good start to 2018 for Science Minister Kirsty Duncan. Federal departments will have a model policy on science integrity by the end of the year in […]
Artificial intelligence in health care: delivering on the potential
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the science of building and programming a machine that can imitate human cognition. Dramatic advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence are projected to generate trillions of dollars in economic growth globally in the next decade. While these technologies show incredible promise to improve patient care, we must consider our health system’s […]
Broadband internet is cornerstone of Canadian industry, economy, technology and education
As chair for the House Industry, Science and Technology Committee (INDU), I have had the chance to meet and hear from many promising and determined entrepreneurs, who inspire my own excitement for Canada’s innovative future. Despite their ambition and many successes, firms continue to face a critical gap in Canada’s current innovation scheme that limits […]
Delighted with 2018 budget, scientists eye funding for ‘open’ grant competitions as next step
The 2018 federal budget gave new hope to Canadian scientists, but they knew their job as advocates wasn’t done. “We were definitely pleased with the results. There was a lot of money there for science,” said Katie Gibbs, executive director of research advocacy group Evidence for Democracy. “But we are all realistic that there is still […]
Robotics, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence will improve lives of people with disabilities
Robotics, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence will both revolutionize several sector of activities and improve considerably the lives of Canadians, especially people with disabilities. In a report released in October 2017, the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology highlighted the potential benefits, and also challenges, of integrating these technologies into the health-care system. […]
