Article Type: Generic

CIHR changes mean better health for Canadians
By Dr Alain Beaudet

Canada’s health research community has taken a keen interest in the many changes happening at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Federal science will be part of the negotiating position of the union representing 15,000 government scientists as it sits down to hammer out a new agreement with the federal government. The unprecedented step was taken by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) to highlight the union’s concern over cuts to federal science programs and the so-called muzzling of scientists in their interaction with the public and the media.

Canadian police need to draw upon international research to adapt to unprecedented challenges they face today and in the future, according to a new report from the Council of Canadian Academies. Entitled Policing Canada in the 21st Century: New Policing for New Challenges, the report contends that increased professionalism and evidenced-based policing would enable the police system as a whole to optimize its role through adaptation, interdependence and developing and applying the growing body of police and public safety knowledge.

The number of industry R&D personnel declined by 13,440 or 9.2% between 2011 and 2012 – the second largest drop since 2008-2009 when 17,560 jobs were shed. In the years between 2008 and 2012, 40,580 industrial R&D jobs have vanished for a 23.

Alberta oil sands producers may soon be adapting cutting-edge technologies from Israel and Canada to reduce their environmental footprint, opening up the potential for their dissemination into the broader economy.

Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Chile’s innovation council, the first time the federal advisory council has entered into such an agreement with a foreign counterpart.

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) will launch another $1-billion engine development project with $300 million in assistance from the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI). The project will be split over the company’s Longueuil and Mississauga locations (65/35) and focus on a new-generation compression system for business jet engines, turbo shafts for helicopters, rotor control systems and new production techniques in the areas of robotics, additive manufacturing and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

Underwhelming response

Canada’s science, technology and innovation (STI) strategy took a step into the 21st century with the addition of advanced manufacturing (AM) as a fifth priority area for future growth and development.

Universities seeking to build on areas of research that can demonstrate significant investment and global impact have access to a powerful new funding mechanism with the launch of the $1.5 billion Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).

Pressure is mounting on the federal government to demonstrate foresight and provide sufficient resources to keep Canada’s computing capacity competitive and enable greater uptake of big data by the private sector, according to pre-Budget submissions from two leading organizations.