Canadian businesses have shown they are ready for a national industrial policy. Canadian governments should be too.
Topic: research and development
Canada needs massive investment into the youth innovation space to support economic diversification
Canada needs “massive” investment in education, transformative learning and innovation programs for young people to support the country’s economic diversification, Cassy Weber, CEO of MindFuel, says in an opinion piece.
The Short Report – Feb 24, 2021: A level-four disease containment facility at U of Saskatchewan, NSERC provides $118 million for research partnerships, CIHR’s plan for the next decade, and more
Saskatchewan funds an upgrade of a University of Saskatchewan centre to work with deadly diseases, Vancouver Shipyards begins construction of an ocean vessel to study the impact of climate change, Canadian Institutes of Health Research release a long-awaited plan for the next decade, and more.
The Short Report – Oct. 28, 2020: UWaterloo targets Japanese market, Calgary breaking venture capital record, and more
Genome research receives major funding related to health, agriculture and environmental projects while Canadian Nuclear Labs pursue clean energy technologies for marine operations in Canada and internationally.
The Short Report – September 23rd, 2020: New climate fund aims to boost awareness and research, Iain Stewart departs NRC for PHAC, and more
Iain Stewart becomes the new president of the Public Health Agency of Canada on Sept. 28th; OnCall Health seeks to expand partnerships and customers with its new round of funding; the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program and Innovate BC sign an MOU; the Canada Foundation for Innovation appoints three new members to its board.
Access to innovation spurs regional diversification and growth
Cluster development is essential for community survival and development. It can help diversify industry to ensure communities are not overly reliant on one sector, while creating an ecosystem that simultaneously stimulates the growth of Canadian SMEs and attracts international players to the area. A case study of the Sarnia-Lambton region highlights both the necessity of thinking long-term about regional cluster development, and the active part that colleges play in cluster building through efforts such as providing infrastructure, bringing together partners, and providing research and development (R&D) for SMEs.
Innovation advocates argue for makeover to Canada’s R&D tax credit program
As Department of Finance Canada conducts an internal review of the SR&ED program, innovation advocates and business consultants say Canada’s largest funding program for incenting R&D by the private sector is “broken” and needs a major overhaul.
Federal spending on S&T declines in FY17-18 with share of intramural spending hitting 34-year low
The share of federal spending on S&T conducted in-house by government departments and agencies declined to its lowest level in 35 years as federal spending intentions for 2017-18 are projected to decline 1.2% to $11.3 billion, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. The drop to 44% of the total is largely attributable to a sharp (6.7%) decline in related scientific activities (RSA) spurred by the absence of StatsCan Census Program survey which was last conducted in 2016 and occurs every five years.