Organization: Industry Canada

Industry Canada unveils space policy framework

Industry Canada has unveiled a Space Policy Framework with a full pledged Long-Term Space Plan slated for release later this year. The policy framework commits the government to “strategically coordinate its priorities and commitments in space, and put its existing resources to good use”. The framework is based on five core principles: national sovereignty, security…

Canada commits $17 million to James Webb Space Telescope

Industry Canada is committing $17 million to remain involved in the US-led James Webb Space Telescope project (JWST). In the planning stages since 1996 and involving 17 countries, project costs have ballooned from $1.6 billion to $8.7 billion. Construction began in 2008 with a planned launch date of 2018….

Feds award $12 million to National Optics Institute

The National Optics Institute in Quebec City has received a non-repayable award of $12 million from the federal government to maintain current technology programs, support small business growth and strengthen its presence in world markets. The funding flows through the Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec. Supported since its founding in 1985 by…

Funding finalized for two Alberta genomics projects

The Alberta government has announced its contribution to two genomics projects worth $25.2 million over four years. The projects comes from Industry Canada through Genome Canada and Alberta Advanced Education and Technology through Genome Alberta. One project, worth $11.6 million and led by the Univ of Calgary’s Dr Gerrit Voordouw, will examine the biological processes…

Lockheed Martin invests in two Atlantic universities

Lockheed Martin is investing $4 million in the Univ of New Brunswick and $2 million in Dalhousie Univ as part of its obligations stemming the federal government’s purchase of C130 Hercules aircraft. Under Industry Canada‘s Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB) policy, Lockheed Martin can claim a 5:1 credit under the IRB program for investing in Canadian…

CANARIE’s future focus of strategic study

CANARIE‘s future beyond 2012 is the focus of a policy study to be undertaken by the firm of Hickling Arthurs Low. The study will be funded by CANARIE and Industry Canada and overseen by both organizations. It will focus on options for how the facilitator of next-generation research networks should evolve beyond its current five-year…

Feds establish CSA advisory committee

The federal government has created the Advisory Committee on the Canadian Space Agency, a new body formed to provide advice on space and the priorities and overall direction of the CSA. The committee will work with interim CSA president Guy Bujold to advise Industry minister Jim Prentice on current expenditures and the potential for future…

Feds make changes to drug patent legislation

The federal government has introduced changes to the regulations governing patented medicines that is says will strengthen the economy “by restoring certainty, predictability and balance to Canada’s intellectual property framework for pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals”. Effective October 5/06, the changes to Health Canada regulations extend the period of market exclusivity for new and innovative drugs from…

ACAHO advocates increased CIHR funding

The Association of Academic Healthcare Organizations (ACAHO) is urging the federal government to boost funding to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and clarify its policy on the direction of its health research and innovation agenda. ACAHO says the objective of improving timely access to healthcare services is dependent upon capacity-building and innovation. In…

NSA moving from PCO to Industry Canada

The Office of the National Science Advisor (NSA) is being transferred to Industry Canada from the Privy Council Office (PCO) as part of a reorganization that will see several PCO-based secretariats moved to other departments. The transfer was announced in an internal email sent May 11 by PCO clerk Kevin Lynch. In the letter, Lynch…