Organization: Government of Alberta

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.

To shift to a circular economy, we need to harness local expertise on plastics

Building a circular economy for plastics in Canada will take smart solutions, says Christina Seidel, executive director of the Recycling Council of Alberta and co-chair of the Plastics Alliance of Alberta, in an op-ed. These include locally driven initiatives, collaboration across sectors and organizations, research investment and innovation to eliminate unnecessary plastics and reduce plastic waste.

NGen joins $10-million effort to bolster manufacturing capacity for a COVID-19 vaccine

The NGen supercluster has awarded $27 million in funding for 12 advanced manufacturing projects that can supply critical health care products to combat COVID-19. The funding includes $5 million for Providence Therapeutics and partner Northern RNA to establish manufacturing capacity in Calgary for Providence’s made-in-Canada vaccine.

The Short Report – Feb. 3, 2021: Corporations partner on rapid COVID testing for employees, Conestoga launches national institute for senior care, Lakeland offers Canada’s first AgriTech degree, and more

A consortium of some of Canada’s biggest corporations launch a pilot project offering workers rapid COVID-19 testing; Conestoga College prepares to launch a national institute dedicated to senior care; Lakeland College offers Canada’s first two-year Agricultural Technology program this fall, and more.

Calgary wants MaRS to complement its innovation ecosystem, not add competition

Toronto-based MaRS Discovery District has proposed expanding some of its innovation components to Calgary. However, key players involved in exploratory talks say the $60-million “MaRS West” initiative will need to complement, not compete with, Calgary’s existing innovation entities and ecosystem.

The Short Report – September 23rd, 2020: New climate fund aims to boost awareness and research, Iain Stewart departs NRC for PHAC, and more

Iain Stewart becomes the new president of the Public Health Agency of Canada on Sept. 28th; OnCall Health seeks to expand partnerships and customers with its new round of funding; the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program and Innovate BC sign an MOU; the Canada Foundation for Innovation appoints three new members to its board.