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 […]
Aerospace
One of biggest hurdles to innovation is access to capital: Rickford
Since becoming minister of State for Science and Technology, I have been meeting with as many members of Canada’s science and technology community as possible. Whether they work in universities, colleges, research institutes, businesses or government labs, I have been struck by the innovative spirit that exists in our country and the dedication and […]
