The federal government failed to implement the key objective of Canada’s superclusters and needs to overhaul how their performance is evaluated, innovation policy experts say.
Organization: C.D. Howe Institute
The Short Report – August 31, 2022: A boost for NRC research initiatives; Spaceport Nova Scotia gets an all-clear for construction, Ottawa launches the Net-Zero Challenge, and more.
The National Research Council invests more than $19 million to advance its research priorities; Maritime Launch Services obtains approval to start constructing Canada’s first commercial spaceport, the Cement Association of Canada signs up for the Net-Zero Challenge, and more.
SR&ED program requires major reforms to stimulate business R&D: policy brief
Major reforms are required to the federal SR&ED tax credit program to stimulate business R&D spending and for Canada to compete internationally in innovation, says a policy brief by Robert Asselin.
The Short Report – July 27, 2022: Ottawa launches next phase of its ocean protection program, a new policy agreement for Canada’s agricultural partnership, funding to fight online disinformation, and more.
Ottawa invests in marine safety as part of the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan; federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers of Agriculture reach an agreement for the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, fighting disinformation on COVID and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and more.
Innovation expenditures dominate federal Budget with observers hoping discovery science will be addressed in future years
The Liberals latest federal Budget takes aim at Canada’s perennial innovation problem with billions in new funding, including a new $15-billion Canada Growth Fund.
The Short Report – April 6, 2022: Ontario Greens issue supply chain strategy for EVs, federal funding for climate and pandemic research, a review of Canada’s Remote Sensing Space Systems Act, and more
Green Party of Ontario releases EV strategy two months ahead of provincial election, research gets a boost through the New Frontiers in Research Fund, a review of Canada’s Remote Sensing Space Systems Act is completed, and more.
Forest industry emerging as a leader in Canada’s innovation economy
Canada’s forest industry is tapping innovation with the aim of growing the nation’s GDP while slashing carbon emissions. Federal government funding and policy support for the innovation drive has been strong, say industry executives and innovation leaders. But more effort is needed to improve procurement programs and regulations, especially for biochemicals and biomaterials.
Dramatic pivot to performance-based funding in Ontario will put $2.2 billion at risk for colleges and universities
Aiming to cut red tape and respect taxpayer money, a new plan in Ontario ties 60% of higher-ed funding to “performance indicators” related to student outcomes and economic impact. Critics say the play will compromise the integrity of Ontario’s higher-education system.
Penalties for high-growth tech companies prompt mounting calls for tax system overhaul
Many stakeholders in Canada’s innovation ecosystem are calling for an independent, comprehensive review of Canada’s tax system.
The Short Report, June 5, 2019 – McMaster endowment, AI, timber research, green jet fuel
BDC Capital has launched the $250-million Industrial Innovation Venture Fund to invest in early to late stage tech firms and entrepreneurs accelerating the transformation of core Canadian industries including ag-tech, advanced manufacturing, oil and gas and mining tech. Venture capital veteran Joe Regan joins as the fund’s managing partner. “Industrial sectors tend to be slow…