Article Type: Generic

Product design and development (PD&D) is a critical $38.6-billion industry in Canada that far outperforms the economy in terms of growth, according to a first-ever report on the industry. The largest investing sectors in PD&D are industrial electronics, motor vehicle, chemical, machinery, aerospace, motor vehicle parts and primary metals, accounting for $22.

The federal government has given the information and communications technology (ICT) sector less than 10 weeks to respond to a discussion paper that will lay the groundwork for a Canadian digital economy strategy after months of signaling its intention to move on a file considered critical to future productivity and competitiveness.

The National Research Council (NRC) has instituted a wide range of cuts that will reduce the agency’s deficit from $65 million to slightly under $10 million. The across-the-board reductions which will take place over a two-year period have already been implemented and apply largely to support services.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) remains a strong, flexible vehicle for funding Canada’s growing research infrastructure as it prepares to adopt a new strategic plan under a president and CEO.

New selection process implemented

Greater numbers of returning applicants, higher quality research and stagnant funding have resulted in a further decline in the success rate in the latest competition for the core research grants supporting scientists represented by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

By Debbie Lawes

Ottawa should delay a controversial tax ruling that will put Canadian universities, particularly those in Quebec, at a competitive disadvantage in attracting top-level postdoctoral researchers, warn graduate groups and opposition MPs.

The federal government is rolling out a new pilot program to stimulate R&D and commercialization among smaller firms in southern Ontario by collaborating with the region’s post-secondary institutions.

S&T figures prominently in the Quebec government’s efforts to curb its growing debt and stimulate economic activity with a major overhaul of key institutions and agencies combined with $1.1 billion in mostly new innovation-related spending.

Is Canada lagging in industrial R&D?

Greater direct R&D support for industry is essential to grow the base of existing firms while universities must be given the freedom to pursue fundamental research unfettered by strategies that seek to align academic research to the needs of industry.