Liberals talk a good game, but science is still struggling
Many credit the Trudeau Liberals with ending the war on science, after years of funding cuts and muzzling by the Harper Conservatives. Nothing seemed to demonstrate this more than the fundamental science review report (chaired by former University of Toronto president David Naylor) commissioned by the Liberals and released in April, followed by the appointment […]
Galvanizing a go-global education strategy
A report this month from the Study Group on Global Education, made up of Canadian businesspeople and academics, offers some revealing insights on preparedness and potential for Canadian students studying abroad. With only 11 per cent of undergraduate students having some form of international experience, it argues that we are stuck in neutral when it […]
Scientist advocacy ‘most active’ in years since Naylor report’s release, next budget ‘test’ of Ottawa’s commitment to fundamental research
Universities and research advocates have ramped up pressure on Ottawa to increase support for fundamental research in anticipation of 2018’s budget, with observers saying it’s the most active and loudest advocacy effort from the scientific community witnessed in years. The research community has been abuzz since the April release of the fundamental science review panel’s […]
University and College Research
Making up for lost time in a brave new world
One of the peculiarities of living in the post-internet age is that we really don’t spend a lot of time talking about the peculiarities of living in the post-internet age. Nostalgia, like so many things, isn’t what it used to be. To dwell these days on the obliterated value of privacy or the manifold psychosocial […]
Innovation
How reworking NAFTA will affect intellectual property in Canada
Whatever changes made to intellectual property policy through the ongoing reworking of NAFTA will certainly affect biotechnology companies. Some Canadian analysts say Canada should take an offensive approach to the IP chapter because it already complies with global standards. The third round of North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations is set to take place in […]
With key tax credit under microscope, biotech firms say it should stay, be improved
As the federal government starts reviewing a tax credit key to the biotechnology sector, some industry representatives say they’re happy with it but would like to see its eligibility expanded, whereas others think documentation standards are too high. The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED, pronounced “shred”) program allows companies in Canada to get a […]
How government can spark venture capital for biotech success
As the government looks to shape its venture capital policy, biotechnology industry representatives say it’s important to minimize direct government intervention, instead letting the private sector decide what companies to invest in. The Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI), as announced in the 2017 budget, is set to provide $400-million to help ease the way for […]
Government putting money where its mouth is on innovation: Bains
As the world celebrates Global Biotech Week, it’s high time for our companies and researchers to do something that most would consider rather un-Canadian: pat themselves on the back. After all, it’s Canada that has led the way in the global biotech industry for so many years with advances in areas like genomics, stem cell […]
