It’s been a tumultuous but ultimately productive year for Canadian S&T. Amidst the confusion of an election campaign and the emergence of a minority government, many organizations were undertaking important planning and strategy exercises that display new levels of maturity and foresight.

Canada’s beleaguered biotechnology industry received a major shot in the arm this week with the stunning market breakthrough of ID Biomedical Corp (IDB). The Vancouver-based vaccine developer signed supply agreements for flu vaccine potentially worth billions, and they’ll be delivering it with a state-of-the-art Montreal facility formerly owned by BioChem Pharma (see page 6).

Just what was the federal government thinking when it proposed cutting the budgets of the granting councils and other science-based agencies? Last week’s lead article in RE$EARCH MONEY generated a groundswell of concern that the Liberal government is faltering in its commitment to innovation and its investment in basic science.

Commercialization in Canada appears to be on the move. After months — some would argue years — of silence and indecision, this country’s two largest government bureaucracies are firming up programs and policy directives to strengthen and enhance the connections and synergies between the sources of innovation and the marketplace.

It’s autumn in Ottawa and policy advice is flowing like wine as organizations of every stripe attempt to influence the process leading up to next year’s Budget. With the Speech from the Throne laying down the parameters, it’s expected that proposals for new or enhanced initiatives or programs will dovetail with the government’s five-point economic strategy.

As a key player in Canada’s innovation system, Western Canada has a number of strengths and challenges that are unique to the region. Those characteristics were the focus of intense debate last month during RE$EARCH MONEY’s first regional conference.

After a long, silent summer, the new Liberal government is beginning to show its hand on its agenda for the coming year. Recent speeches by the Finance and Industry ministers indicate the Liberals are willing to spend and are open to new ideas for how to best target new and re-allocated funding.

Those who contend that Ottawa is dragging its feet on innovation and commercialization may want to re-visit last March’s Budget (R$, April 6/04). Although its research and commercialization measures were modest, they do point to a coherent policy that’s in sync with the federal government’s previous directives.

Alberta’s has another important mechanism for creating wealth and jobs from its science and technology expertise. TEC Edmonton marks the first time a university has formally entered a joint venture with a municipality, effectively pooling resources with the goal of enhancing technology transfer and accelerating commercialization (see page 3).

A lot of people are anxious to see the outcome of the Ontario government’s massive re-organization of its S&T activities. As Canada’s research powerhouse, decisions made by the administration of Dalton McGuinty will have a significant impact on the future of innovation throughout the province and on federal-provincial relations.