Are federal S&T policies and programs veering toward crisis? Everywhere you look there’s a process or a program that is either delayed, breaking down or stalled altogether. They are casualties of the state of politics in Ottawa, a bureaucracy weakened by the departure of seasoned personnel and a persistent trait of the current Liberal regime: the inability to carry through on its seductive rhetoric on innovation and the knowledge-based economy.

It could be argued that Dr Pierre’s Coulombe’s career to date has been in preparation for the challenges he now faces as president of the National Research Council (NRC). Armed with a wealth of experience in running large organizations, growing companies and developing S&T policy, he must wield those qualities in support of an organization that — if properly restructured and positioned — is poised to gain strength as a central engine of innovation and wealth creation.

Managers of S&T regardless of sector or affiliation would be wise to seek out an important new report that was released earlier this month. Based on a survey of 30 CEOs of smaller high-tech firms, it makes a compelling argument that Canada needs to re-think its innovation strategy and acknowledge the need for a greater emphasis on commerce (see page 3).

There’s a very high probability that Canada’s innovation landscape is about to experience a significant shift. Part of this change can be anticipated. Governments across the land are placing greater emphasis on the market end of the innovation spectrum to better exploit investments made in the research base.

Alberta is building on its growing reputation as Canada’s new knowledge frontier. Flush with cash and guided by a veteran premier who’s developing a legacy, S&T and advanced education are emerging as the major beneficiaries of province’s fiscal good fortune.

As Canada begins the complex process of complying with the Kyoto protocol, technology and innovation are becoming increasingly important. To ensure that policy and expenditures are properly directed, we need a national energy policy.

The timing would have been perfect. A freshly crafted commercialization strategy coinciding with the February 23rd Budget, which delivered a series of strategic investments designed to stimulate and support innovation.

After years of trying, Canada is on the verge of adopting a big science policy framework. Plans are in place to have a polished document presented to Cabinet this fall, capping a long and often frustrating effort to bring some coherence to this country’s treatment of major science facilities, either in Canada or offshore.

All eyes will be on Finance minister Ralph Goodale on February 23rd when he brings down the first Budget by a minority government in decades. After a year of pronouncements on innovation, commercialization and the changing role of federal laboratories, the time has come to see exactly what Paul Martin & Co.

Federal S&T needs a clear and forceful signal that its potential for making a far greater contribution to national innovation and productivity is recognized and welcomed by its political masters. A major forum of federal scientists and managers provided a stark reminder that the status quo is simply not working and failure to take quick action could have dire long-term consequences (see page 5).