The COVID-19 Immunity Task Force will study the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among Canadians over 50 years old; Dr. Mona Nemer is appointed to a second term as Chief Science Officer, and digital health technology continues to accelerate in Canada.
Organization: University of British Columbia
Innovative public-private partnership will use data to guide BC’s reopening
An ambitious public-private partnership will track and collect data on COVID-19 in the workplace. The data will provide a real-world view of the disease and its impacts to public health officials and employers as they reopen the doors to the economy.
Canada’s AI skills gap includes business leaders, data scientists and educators: report
Canada is a global research hub for artificial intelligence but needs a lot more professionals with AI skills to move move AI from research labs to mainstream businesses, two new reports say.
The Short Report – August 12, 2020: Feds invest in mining sector, CSIS warns universities about China, new Supercluster projects, and more
The Short Report: Feds invest in mining sector, CSIS warns universities about China, new Supercluster projects, more COVID 19-related support for Indigenous businesses, University of Alberta geologist on Mars mission, and more.
The Short Report – July 2, 2020: Saskatchewan moves on blue hydrogen, North sells south, and more
Saskatchewan approved a first-of-its-kind hydrogen production project; the Black Innovation Fellowship (BIF) at Ryerson’s DMZ announced a $1 million program expansion; Kitchener wearable tech company North will be sold to Google’s parent company Alphabet; and more.
The Short Report – May 27, 2020: DMZ and Ryerson Futures merge; Canadian psychedelic research gets boost; CFI launches $25-million competition; progress on a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine; and more
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council has awarded $76 million for 128 new applied research projects at colleges, cégeps and polytechnics. Funded through the tri-agency College and Community Innovation Program and the College-Industry Innovation Fund from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the investments will connect colleges with local companies, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises, to collaborate on projects that further…
Feds developing unprecedented long-term research and pandemic preparedness strategy
The federal government is developing Canada’s first long-term research and pandemic preparedness strategy that will include a new Centre for Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies Research. Ottawa has provided nearly $1 million to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to lead its development.
The Short Report, May 6, 2020: AbCellera receives $175.6M for COVID-19 therapies; Canada contributes $850 million to global pandemic response; new “super angel” fund launches; and more
Vancouver-based AbCellera Biologics will receive up to $175.6 million from the federal Strategic Innovation Fund to fast-track antibody therapies against COVID-19. The funding will also go to build a first-of-its-kind antibody manufacturing facility over the next four years to help Canada respond to future pandemics. AbCellera has partnered with global biopharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to…
Survey: Canadian universities are increasingly cutting fossil fuels from their investment portfolios
A growing number of Canadian universities, including some of the country’s largest, are significantly reducing the industrial carbon in their investment portfolios, a R$ survey shows. Less than a handful of universities are divesting specifically from fossil fuel holdings, but many schools also are using a “responsible investing” approach which considers environmental, social and governance factors.
The Short Report, April 1, 2020: EU will integrate COVID-19 stimulus with green transition; researchers team up to share resources and materials in fight against COVID-19; and more
The European Union will adapt its economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic in support of the continent-wide Green Deal adopted in December. Europe wants to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through a growth strategy that will “transform its economy and society to put it on a more sustainable path.” In a new statement, EU’s leaders…