Canadians convinced that science and technology hold the potential for unlocking the nation’s future prosperity and well being can be forgiven if they mistook Paul Martin for Santa Claus last week. On the very day that he took the reins of power, Martin unveiled a sack full of policy goodies and appointments, many S&T-related and all designed to leaving Canadians feeling good before the holidays.

Dr John McDougall is making it easy for incoming prime minister Paul Martin. He and his associates have come up with a superior commercialization model that could — if properly funded and implemented — help Canada make significant strides in bridging the gaps that lie between excellent ideas and their exploitation in the marketplace.

One of the strangest seasons in Ottawa’s political history is about to end as the Canada’s national leadership prepares to changes hands. One the one hand, it’s been an exciting time, with a flood of bold visions and fresh approaches to old problems jockeying for position.

The detail may have been missing but Paul Martin’s speech last week upon becoming leader of the Liberal Party amplified his remarkably consistent vision of S&T in the service of a strong and prosperous 21st Century Canada.

There’s a lot to be said for the old saying, “Build it and they will come”. After years of lobbying and several more months of negotiations, the federal government has finally provided key strategic funding for the fuel cells sector.

Canada appears to be moving towards consensus on the need to integrate our innovation and foreign policies in a way that assists those in the developing world. A recent speech by Paul Martin has accelerated convergence of opinion within the S&T community on why Canada should increase its support for such a role.

If Doug Barber could deliver just one piece of advice to incoming prime minister Paul Martin, it would likely be to pick up the phone and schedule private meetings with a few of Canada’s high-tech executives.

The technology and innovation component of the federal government’s climate change plan is welcome, but it doesn’t go far enough and crucial details are still lacking. From what we’ve been told, however, the initiatives appear to be heavily skewed towards traditional energy industries at the expense of those that offer a truly sustainable future.

Expect a distinct shift from university research to commercialization under a Paul Martin government. That’s the strong message being heard throughout the S&T community as Ottawa’s summer of transition leads to a November showdown between Martin and Sheila Copps and Martin’s inevitable coronation.

Canada’s corporate leaders may not have shown up in great numbers at last year’s National Innovation Summit. But when it comes to R&D, it appears as though business and government are singing from the same song book.