2012 has been a tumultuous year for Canadian S&T. From protesting scientists to continuing weakness in business R&D, the future of innovation in this country is far from clear. Reports released this year show that the excellence of Canadian research is world class but the sectors relying on that research are suffering from a lack of clear policy direction.
The recent aerospace and space review revealed that those sectors would benefit from renewed strategic direction and support. Canada’s digital industries are still waiting for the government’s missing-in-action digital economy strategy. And where exactly will that $400 million earmarked for venture capital in the last Budget be spent, and by whom?
Canada’s tech-based companies are doing their best to get products to market and compete globally, but they’re not being helped by a government that sees little role for itself beyond providing a low-tax, low-regulation environment. Changes to the tax credit system designed to assist them have been met with widespread condemnation and the re-balancing of indirect and direct support for businesses — as per the Jenkins report —has yet to materialize.
Then there’s the National Research Council which is forging ahead with a radical overhaul that’s been poorly communicated and lacks Cabinet approval.
Evidence of this policy vacuum appears to be taking its toll. Canada’s GERD-to-GDP ratio fell to 1.74 in 2011 — its lowest level in 15 years. The quest to move into the top ranks of innovative nations will forever remain a pipe dream unless aggressive and intelligently coordinated policies and programs are enacted.
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