Editorial - 18-10

Canada’s innovation agenda appears to be safe following the Liberal minority victory in this week’s federal election. There was a collective sign of relief throughout the S&T community by those who believe that progress is being made in overcoming the hurdles associated with bringing research to the marketplace.

The accomplishments achieved to date were threatened by the prospect of a Conservative victory. That party’s electoral platform displayed an incomplete grasp of the key issues. And Conservative eagerness to eliminate regional business assistance, gut the Industrial Research Assistance Program and trash Technology Partnerships Canada reflected a profound misunderstanding of regional, national and global innovation systems.

In contrast, the Liberals appeared ready to build on their impressive track record and enter the risky area of supporting commercialization, with a substantial portion of their election platform devoted to trumpeting innovation.

That said, it’s a mystery as to why the Liberals never once mentioned R&D, S&T or innovation during the election campaign. One suspects that their omission was the result of internal polling showing these issues were not cited as high priority items.

Dr Howard Burton, executive director of the Perimeter Institute was compelled to conclude that the Liberals have “turned their back on one of their greatest accomplishments of their years in office”. Let’s hope that the omission was a strategic error and won’t deter Liberals from doubling their efforts to make Canada a truly innovative nation.