Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is facing a very busy year, with a mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that includes more than 30 assigned tasks. They include establishing a new advanced research projects agency, launching a Canadian critical minerals strategy and a national quantum strategy and creating a global centre of excellence for eliminating methane gas emissions.
Person: François-Philippe Champagne
2021: The Year in Canadian Science and Innovation
As 2021 draws to a close, we offer a compendium of key developments in Canada’s innovation ecosystem from the past twelve months.
The Short Report – Dec. 22, 2021: Trudeau releases mandate letters, a promising brain diseases partnership, a national survey of young people’s attitudes towards science, and more
A new Quebec neuroscience partnership may advance drug discovery for brain diseases through AI and Open Science; a CFI national survey shows most young adults have confidence in science; Dr. Leah Cowen has been named the University of Toronto’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives, and more.
The Short Report – Nov. 17, 2021: Ontario invests in research facilities, UOttawa launches centre for Black health, a win for BrainBox AI at COP26, and more
Ontario invests to attract and retain research talent, UOttawa launches the first Canadian research centre dedicated to studying Black health in Canada, Montreal’s BrainBox AI goes home a winner from COP26, and more.
The Short Report – Nov. 3, 2021: NREN bolsters internet security with MANRS, a new green tech hub, an open science partnership, and more
Five Ontario post-secondary institutions establish a hub to advance climate action solutions, a global initiative bolsters internet routing, the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) at The Neuro announces a new partnership, and more.
Opinion Leader: Federal government must provide predictable funding for health research

The federal government needs to make it an urgent priority to provide increased and predictable funding for health and biosciences research, or risk losing the nation’s health research workforce to competing countries like the U.S., the U.K. and Australia, says Paul-Émile Cloutier, president and CEO of HealthCareCAN, in an op-ed.
Moderna to build vaccine production facility as part of new federal biomanufacturing strategy
The U.S.-based vaccine manufacturer Moderna Inc. will be building a plant in Canada after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian government this week.
Ottawa introduces new national security guidelines for NSERC grants
The federal government has released a list of guidelines for universities and research institutions as the result of a working group convened earlier this summer.
Opinion: Canadian universities and companies must proactively assess risks of collaboration with China

China’s investments in and with Canadian universities and companies pose a serious risk to Canada’s security, personal data, research and technology, says Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a senior fellow at the Institute for Science, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa, and former executive vice-president of NSERC.
Oil and gas innovation network offers $80 million in clean technology competitions
The Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) is making up to $80 million in federal funding available through oil and gas industry challenges to accelerate the development and commercialization of clean technology.