Article Type: Generic

Extraordinary R&D growth at Telus Corp in 2009 was one of the few positive highlights in an otherwise difficult year for corporate R&D spending as the preliminary impact of the economic downturn weighed down on performance, resulting in a small decline in total spending.

After more than two years without a board of directors, the federal government made 10 new appointments to the Canadian Polar Commission (CPC), ending a tense period of speculation over the organization’s future.

The Alberta Centre for Advanced MNT Products (ACAMP) has secured its third investment from Western Economic Diversification (WD) in as many years, helping the fee-for-service organization establish itself as a key commercialization agent in the province’s nascent microelectronics and nanotechnology (MNT) sector.

Radical re-think required

The public cost of supporting biopharmaceutical R&D in Canada far exceeds the value added that companies contribute to the economy due to innovation policies that are “a total failure”, says a new report.

Operational support for many of Canada’s large science facilities finally has a single funding source with the launch of a new targeted program by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). The Major Science Initiatives (MSI) program provides $185 million over five years (FY12-13 to FY16-17) covering 40% of a facility’s operating costs, with its inaugural competition to be held next year.

By Debbie Lawes

Two members of Canada’s influential Science and Technology Innovation Council (STIC) say it’s time to consider a standardized framework for intellectual property (IP) across universities as a way to improve the country’s lackluster commercialization performance.

An expert panel charged with assessing the best approaches, mechanisms and practices for ensuring research integrity within universities says the formation of a Canadian Council for Research Integrity (CCRI) is Canada’s best option for addressing gaps in the current system.

The Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC) is branching out. Following its second successful conference in Montreal last week, the CSPC is developing a plan to launch a Canadian Science Policy Centre to run the conference and establish a national research centre devoted to science policy.

By Debbie Lawes

Canada needs to adopt a national science policy — informed by scientists — that balances energy production, economic growth and environmental stewardship, with both the oil sands and nuclear power playing a central role until more sustainable alternatives are widely available, Liberal industry critic Marc Garneau told the recent Canadian Science Policy Conference in Montreal.

The research and innovation branch of the British Columbia government is on the move again. After being bounced from the economic development portfolio to advanced education and back to economic development, the small branch is now part of the new Ministry of Science and Universities (MSU), raising the prospect that it may enjoy a higher profile in the future.