The Liberals latest federal Budget takes aim at Canada’s perennial innovation problem with billions in new funding, including a new $15-billion Canada Growth Fund.
Topic: Innovation Superclusters Initiative
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.
Ottawa defends innovation performance and initiatives to strengthen ecosystem
Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada, in a detailed response to growing criticisms, defends the federal government’s innovation performance, policies and programs.
Researchers propose new performance indicators to better measure superclusters’ progress
Canada needs a new set of indicators to more precisely measure the performance of its five superclusters, which would also enable policy-makers and government regulators to improve innovation practices and policies, says a new study by the Montreal-based Institute for Research on Public Policy.
Innovation Canada shifts “entire portfolio” to COVID-19 response
Innovation Canada has shifted its “entire portfolio,” to responding to the COVID-19 crisis, from the Strategic Innovation Fund to Canada’s innovation superclusters, says federal assistant deputy minister Andrea Johnston.
The Short Report, March 4, 2019: Kirsty Duncan moves for a standing committee on science and research; Alberta cuts post-secondary education funding; Canadian miners make an action plan
The Short Report: New Parliamentary standing committee proposed for science and research; new Protein Industries Supercluster projects; Alberta cuts post-secondary education funding while Ontario increases it; boosting competitiveness of Canada’s mining sector; creating research internships for students; Canadian science for the Moon; developing small nuclear reactor technology; and more.
The Short Report, February 26, 2020: Transatlantic AI projects; multiplying ocean startups; scaling in the Big Apple
The Short Report: Transatlantic AI projects, ocean startups, new aeronautics centre of excellence, Canadian startups in New York, advancing 5G networks, constructing mass timber buildings, agri-food sustainability, and more.
“Innovation without IP is philanthropy”: Superclusters must protect Canadian IP, say experts
Canada’s superclusters need rigorous intellectual property strategies to protect Canadian SMEs’ IP and ensure it stays in Canada to benefit the national economy, say top IP specialists.
Ocean Supercluster’s first project focuses on high-def seafloor imaging
The Canada Ocean Supercluster’s first project will develop underwater robotics devices that ocean industries can lease to image, map and analyze the seabed.
Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster launches first cohort of industry-led projects
Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster announced seven initial projects, with $40 million of co-investment over three years.