Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is much more focused on his government’s response to COVID-19 than on science and innovation priorities, judging by the PM’s updated mandate letter to the minister of innovation. The letter mentions the world “innovation” once, compared with more than a half-dozen references to COVID-19 and the federal response to the pandemic
Topic: Strategic Innovation Fund
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.
The Short Report – Nov. 4th, 2020: Tracking international travellers for COVID-19; $26 million for doctoral researchers, and more…
Surveillance border study at Toronto’s airport continues to track international travellers for COVID-19; the Canadian Space Agency supports the launch of two lunar technology payloads to the moon.
Council of Canadian Innovators calls for a national prosperity strategy
More than 130 leading entrepreneurs want the federal government to end what they call a “patchwork” approach to innovation.
Mining innovation ecosystem needs dedicated federal funding to thrive, innovation groups say
Canada’s regionally diverse mining innovation groups are stepping up efforts to collaborate on and better coordinate industry-led innovation. But the push to “de-fragment” the country’s mining innovation ecosystem needs dedicated federal funding, the groups say.
Alberta agri-food sector gets a boost with launch of new research and innovation network
A new $108.5-million technology and agri-food research and innovation network, supported by the federal government and industry, is expected to begin operations by the end of this month. Alberta Innovates’ Inventures conference also highlighted a new $40 funding challenge from Emissions Reduction Alberta to accelerate technology innovation in agriculture, agri-food and forestry.
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, May 6, 2020: AbCellera receives $175.6M for COVID-19 therapies; Canada contributes $850 million to global pandemic response; new “super angel” fund launches; and more
Vancouver-based AbCellera Biologics will receive up to $175.6 million from the federal Strategic Innovation Fund to fast-track antibody therapies against COVID-19. The funding will also go to build a first-of-its-kind antibody manufacturing facility over the next four years to help Canada respond to future pandemics. AbCellera has partnered with global biopharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to…
Feds invest $887 million to ensure reliable vaccine supply for COVID-19, other pandemics
The federal government’s investment of $887 million make Canada self-sufficient in manufacturing vaccines against COVID-19 and future pandemics, say medical and other experts. Along with Canadian-led vaccine development, Ottawa is investing in a network of small-scale vaccine manufacturing facilities that together will be able to produce enough vaccine for Canada’s population during pandemics.
The Short Report, July 10, 2019: Nuclear power, future skills, health tech
A planned $100-million infusion for Alberta’s artificial intelligence sector — promised in February by then-governing NDP leader Rachel Notley — is on hold, as Premier Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party scrutinizes the investment. Edmonton-based AI hub Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) was slated to to use some of the funds to open a Calgary office, but…