Article Type: Generic

Canada’s reactivated external advisory council for S&T policy and its economic applications is moving quickly to deliver advice on one of the four themes developed for the government’s emerging innovation strategy.

Ontario Budget

The provincial government has finally announced the creation of a new Centre of Excellence for Electricity and Alternative Energy Technology (CEEAT), with $20 million in funding over five years.

Tight capital markets for small companies has prompted changes to the Community Small Business Investment Funds Act. The Budget proposes expanding the scope of firms eligible for investments by Labour Sponsored Investment Funds (LSIF) to include larger firms and an increased ceiling on investment amounts.

Ontario Budget

Research and development (R&D) continue to play a pivotal and expanding role in Ontario’s strategy to accelerate its transition towards a knowledge-based economy, with two key initiatives introduced in its March 27 Budget.

Ontario Budget

The Cancer Research Institute of Ontario (CRIO) has captured the Ontario Budget’s largest single investment related to R&D and innovation. With a budget of $1 billion over 10 years, it is designed to propel Ontario into the world-leading ranks for cancer research and treatment and complements a previous $100-million commitment for an Ontario Cancer Research Network (OCRN).

15th to 5th objective achievable

A new report being circulated by the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) demonstrates that Canada’s chances of entering the exclusive grouping of the world’s top five innovative economies by 2010 lie in the hands of about 60 companies.

Alberta Budget

Frustration within Alberta’s S&T community is spreading as the province continues to hold back on making the strategic decisions and investments considered essential to its long-term future as a knowledge-based economy.

The BC Premier’s Technology Council (PTC) has issued its fourth report highlighting areas it has previously identified as priorities for government, and it joins a chorus of voices in advocating urgent action on the development of a provincial fuel cells strategy.

A long-awaited commercialization roadmap for the fuel cells industry has identified four key steps to move the sector forward, including more demonstration projects, early purchase programs and increased collaborative R&D.

Prime minister Jean Chrétien has announced a series of changes to the senior ranks of the federal public service, with many appointments impacting key S&T and innovation files. The appointments, effective April 22 to June 16, include the creation of a new position at the National Research Council (NRC) and news of a restructuring and name change for the Canadian Centre for Management Development (CCMD).