Genome Canada’s portal for tracking variants of concern across Canada is up and running; a Carleton biology team gets support for bolstering ecosystem conservation; Protein Industries Canada starts the second phase of plans to boost plant-based foods, feed and ingredients; a briefing from the Royal Society of Canada calls on federal leadership to stabilize the postsecondary sector; and more.
Article Type: Generic
Science, technology and innovation are big winners in Liberal pre-election budget with investments across multiple sectors
Ottawa’s minority Liberal government introduced an election-style budget with $101 billion in across-the-board largesse, highlighted by new early-education and childcare program spending but extending throughout Canada’s science, technology and innovation (STI) sectors.
By the Numbers: Who’s getting funded in the 2021 federal budget?
To keep track of the array of agencies and programs receiving funding, Research Money has created a list of the STI initiatives benefiting from the 2021 federal budget.
After billions in funding, Strategic Innovation Fund failed to improve Canada’s innovation performance, experts say
Nearly $3.4 billion in federal spending through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) during the last three years has failed to improve Canada’s “disastrous” innovation performance and productivity, say some innovation and policy experts. An analysis by Research Money of SIF data shows that Ontario, Quebec and foreign-based firms have received the lion’s share of SIF funding.
Strategic Innovation Fund producing “significant benefits” for Canadians, ISED says
Research Money asked Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to respond to four questions about criticisms of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) program. In response, ISED says SIF is producing “significant benefits” for Canadians, including new jobs created, co-op placements and investment in R&D and new technologies.
Vaccine independence requires a 21st-Century Connaught Labs, policy experts argue
The federal and Ontario governments recently announced a $470-million investment to expand Sanofi Pasteur Limited’s vaccine manufacturing capability. But for Canada to be truly self-sufficient in vaccine development and production, critics say other models must be considered—including a 21st-century version of Connaught Labs.
Opinion: Canadian universities and companies must proactively assess risks of collaboration with China
China’s investments in and with Canadian universities and companies pose a serious risk to Canada’s security, personal data, research and technology, says Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a senior fellow at the Institute for Science, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa, and former executive vice-president of NSERC.
The Short Report – April 21, 2021: SIF gets $7.2 billion in 2021 federal budget, BC budget invests in new strategic fund, Biden’s funding surge, a boost for the Stem Cell Network, and more
The 2021 federal budget gives a big boost to the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program, BC budget provides $500 million to new fund for tech startups, US President Joe Biden proposes funding surge for federal research agencies, Canada’s Stem Cell Network to receive $45 million dollars for regenerative medicine therapies, and more.
Three levels of government provide more than $2 million to launch Canada’s first hydrogen hub in Alberta
Federal, Alberta and municipal governments are jointly providing $2.25 million to launch Canada’s first industrial hydrogen hub in the Edmonton region. Initial funding for the hub is seen as the first step in creating what Ottawa envisions will be a $50-billion Canadian clean hydrogen sector.
Future Skills Centre invests $32 million in post-pandemic future of work, including first-of-its kind free education pilot
The Future Skills Centre, an applied research centre that tests and evaluates innovative approaches to skills development, is investing $32 million in 64 projects to “shock-proof” the workplace of the future. The projects include a pilot program to provide free post-secondary education in Alberta, the first of its kind in Canada.