China currently dominates the global market for rare earth materials. Establishing a domestic rare earths industry in Canada will take a focused industrial strategy, more government support and greater private investment, say industry executives and academic and government researchers.
Organization: Environment and Climate Change Canada
The Short Report – June 2, 2021: Cleantech R&D gets a boost, Biden’s 2022 research budget, UBC studies rapid testing kits, and more
Ottawa invests more than $44 million to bolster cleantech R&D innovation, US President Joseph Biden asks for US $13.5 billion increase in federal R&D spending, the University of British Columbia’s COVID-19 rapid testing clinic to be a first in Canada, and more.
The Short Report – April 28, 2021: COVID-19 data portal goes live, Protein Industries Canada launches new phase of plant-based food plan, Carleton funding bolsters ecosystem conservation, and more
Genome Canada’s portal for tracking variants of concern across Canada is up and running; a Carleton biology team gets support for bolstering ecosystem conservation; Protein Industries Canada starts the second phase of plans to boost plant-based foods, feed and ingredients; a briefing from the Royal Society of Canada calls on federal leadership to stabilize the postsecondary sector; and more.
Council of Canadian Academies launches federally-supported projects to assess urgent scientific challenges
The Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) has launched four new, federally-supported projects to assess urgent scientific challenges. Expert panels will evaluate the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence for science and engineering, Canada’s carbon sink potential, public safety in the digital age, and the impacts of health and science misinformation.
The Short Report – March 10, 2021: Federal funding for applied genomics, investments in plant-based proteins, the death of a renowned Alberta ecologist, and more
The Government of Canada invests $8.6 million towards applied genomics research with another $17.8 million from its partners, Protein Industries Canada funds three plant-based protein projects, the death of renowned Alberta ecologist Dr. David Schindler, and more.
Oil and gas innovation network has yet to spend $80 million of federal funding for cleaner technologies
A pan-Canadian oil and natural gas innovation network has yet to spend the bulk of $100 million of federal funding on commercializing new, cleaner technologies, two years after Ottawa announced the funding and seven months after a contribution agreement was signed. The Clean Resource Innovation Network, which aims to produce the world’s cleanest hydrocarbons, plans to announce details of its planned three technology competitions by end of March 2021.
R$ Exclusive: Government launches $2.8-billion plan to revitalize federal labs and build collaborative facilities
After decades of neglect, the government is making a 25-year commitment to renew aging federal science labs, and encourage more collaboration with industry and academia.
CanCOVID model could transform how research responds to future crises
COVID-19 has brought about new models of research coordination and knowledge mobilization that could endure long after the pandemic subsides. One of those models is CanCOVID—a virtual network where researchers, clinicians and healthcare professionals can communicate with each other in real time, and with industry and policymakers. Launched by Canada’s Departmental Science Advisor Network, it could transform Canada’s response to future crises.
Strategic federal investment and better data needed to support clean growth, says national research institute
The federal government needs to invest more strategically in clean technologies and improve data gathering to support climate goals, clean economic growth and Canadians’ well-being, says a new report by the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices. Yet despite several challenges which include COVID-19, Canada’s clean tech industry continues to grow, speakers told Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s annual meeting.
Quebec City’s technologically advanced, deep-water container terminal to boost innovation in region’s maritime sector
Quebec City’s planned $775-million deep-water container terminal will anchor a new network for global maritime and logistics innovation that connects the scientific community with the “real” world.