Canada should reassert itself as a global leader in food security: Experts
It’s a ‘timely time’ to talk about food security; tomorrow is Earth Day and world leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will be gathering at the United Nations to formally sign the Paris climate agreement. And considering that climate change and the resulting weather unpredictability is a major contributing factor to insufficient food supplies, and […]
Canada’s Big Challenges: Morneau’s got bold rhetoric on an innovation agenda, but can he deliver?
In his first budget speech, Finance Minister Bill Morneau promised that within the next year the government will deliver its innovation agenda—“a new vision for Canada’s economy as a centre of global innovation, renowned for its science, technology, resourceful citizens and globally competitive companies.” This, he said, will set out “our plans for real change.” […]
Feds need to close gaps governing human participation in scientific research
The disturbing announcement recently that a man died and four others were seriously harmed in Rennes, France, as a result of participation in a research study is a timely reminder of the importance of protecting those who volunteer to be subjects of research. The drug being tested was thought to show promise in treating a […]
The cause for fairer science, because it’s 2016
OTTAWA—When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his famous remark—”because it’s 2015″—about gender parity in his newly-appointed Cabinet last year, it attracted a lot of attention at home and abroad. He followed it up with a high-level panel on gender parity at Davos where he promoted women’s rights across the spectrum of society, including science and […]
Innovation hubs ‘facilitate innovation through collaboration,’ says prof
Innovation incubators and hubs, run by universities and companies, are springing up across the country and are essential to building an environment conducive to fostering invention and startup companies. University “incubation in general has really taken off as this idea that we need to support the translation of research into something that creates value for […]
Ottawa tech sector sees opportunity in China
China’s emerging technology sector is both an opportunity and competitor for Ottawa’s innovation business community, and a recent trip by some of the capital’s business and political leaders aims to attract some investment into the sector here. As the economy in China changes so does its labour force and consumers and what’s emerging is a […]
We need to redefine the boundaries of discovery and innovation
OTTAWA—Canada is on the brink of an exciting future. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) can help make sure we get there, but only if we fully mobilize Canada’s discovery and innovation ecosystem. Fresh thinking about how innovation works and how players in the system can work together is required to solve this challenge. The […]
Nobel win reflects Canada’s potential for world-leading research
On Thursday, academics and dignitaries from around the world gathered in Stockholm for the annual Nobel Prize ceremony. Among this year’s laureates is Canadian Arthur B. McDonald, a professor emeritus at Queen’s University and co-winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics. I was fortunate to attend the ceremony and, as I watched, I quite […]
Federal science, technology, innovation strategy ‘mostly stale air’
When Oxford dictionaries came out with the 2014 word of the year ‘vape’—to inhale vapour from an e-cigarette—it struck me as an apt metaphor for the revised Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) strategy announced by the federal government in early December 2014 (innovation was now added to the older 2007 science and technology version; a […]
Federal tax breaks for oil, gas sector continue as emissions climb
The oil and gas industry continues to be on the receiving end of generous federal tax breaks and policies aimed at encouraging the exploration and development of fossil fuel reserves, despite claims by the Conservative government that it’s eliminating subsidies to the sector. The feds can take some credit for making good on their […]
