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Federal expenditures remain flat despite greater support for higher education sector

Federal expenditures on S&T will remain flat in FY05-06, according to Statistics Canada. Increased funding performed by the higher education sector was offset by fewer dollars being spent intramurally or through funding to business and non-profit institutions.

$88 million flowing to granting councils

By Debbie Lawes

Some $7 billion in federal spending – including over $1.4 billion for science-based departments and agencies (SBDAs) – is in limbo pending a Treasury Board review that could see some money released by December 22.

Industry Canada is enacting a major overhaul of its policy shop, creating a new innovation sector by splitting off four branches from the current policy sector to create a new entity focused on the innovation agenda.

The Univ of Alberta is moving its commercialization and technology transfer activities into the heart of Edmonton with the purchase of the old Hudson’s Bay building in city’s core. The U of will acquire and revamp the building for approximately $62 million with all levels of government contributing towards the cost of the acquisition and ongoing operation.

TPC to provide $189 million

CAE Inc has launched the largest R&D initiative in the company’s 58-year history to update its existing line of aircraft simulation and visualization products and expand into related markets.

Industry Canada has released its highly anticipated aerospace and defence strategy built on seven priority areas aimed an ensuring the future competitiveness of the sector. The National Aerospace and Defence Strategic Framework is highlighted by a new technology development program that succeeds the sunsetting Technology Partnerships Program (TPC) and will incorporate funds for demonstration projects, collaborative initiatives and supplier development.

Dr Martin Godbout is criss-crossing the country for a series of one-on-one meetings with members of the scientific community in an attempt to defuse a growing protest over Genome Canada’s criteria for project approvals.

The structure and focus of genomics and proteomics research in western Canada is about to be realigned with the creation of Genome Alberta, the sixth genome centre under the Genome Canada umbrella. Genome Alberta is being split off from Genome Prairie and is established by an initial investment of $3 million from the Alberta government, which plans to position it as a key element of its forthcoming life sciences initiative.

Canada must choose the biotechnology niches in which it has the greatest chances of success and should look to connect emerging science with areas of traditional strength in agriculture and natural resources, suggests a new report from the Conference Board of Canada (CBoC).

Universities could be big winners

University-based research and skills training dominate the S&T component of the Liberal government’s election-inflected Economic Update, with the largest single commitment going to the indirect costs of university research.