Recent News
CMC Microsystems and global partners team up to help stranded students continue research
CMC Microsystems and partner organizations in the Global MNT group have launched an initiative to help students stranded by the COVID-19 pandemic continue their research in advanced microelectronic and nanotechnologies.
Reconciling Ways of Knowing society seeks “transformative synergies” between Indigenous knowledge and Western science
On July 27, the Reconciling Ways of Knowing Forum launched its first dialogue on the need for reconciliation between Indigenous and Western scientific ways of knowing: “The purpose of this dialogue is to find our way forward together, by respecting both ways of knowing.”
The Short Report: Supporting Black tech professionals, high-speed Internet for rural Quebec, and more
The Short Report: Supporting Black tech professionals; high-speed Internet for rural Quebec, new university Indigenous research policy; DND funding for COVID-19 technologies; record angel investment; writing off oil sands assets.
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.
B.C.’s new Mining Innovation Roadmap aims to strengthen innovation ecosystem
The Mining Association of B.C.’s new BC Mining Innovation Roadmap focuses on strengthening the province’s mining innovation ecosystem. The Roadmap’s recommendations include creating a new “BC Mining Innovation Hub” and a mining innovation leadership position in government, and establishing a “Demonstration Mine” to test innovative technologies.
By the Numbers: Reversing the decline in Canada’s mining sector through innovation
As Canada’s mining sector shows signs of slipping, companies and innovation leaders are calling for more dedicated federal funding and the development of a national strategy that would link regional clusters. Steering the sector to growth will require increased reliance on innovation and commitment to sustainable practices.
York University's planned Markham campus receives approval at last
After an initial funding setback, York University announced on Friday that it has received approval to build a new tech-focused campus in Markham, Ontario.
The Short Report - July 29, 2020: Facebook Canada moves against online hate, Alberta rediscovers R&D grants, and more
FedDev Ontario will give $4.8 million to Trent University to create the Trent Enterprise Centre (TEC) in its upcoming Cleantech Commons; less than a year after slashing R&D tax credits and grants, Alberta’s United Conservative Party government has reversed course; Gerald Butts helps Eurasia Group with global climate policy, sustainable finance, and artificial intelligence; and more.
Latest Issue:
Number 7
Volume 34 July 22 2020
Editorial:
Mark Mann
Hydrogen technology offers a way past zero-sum thinking between western Canada’s fossil fuel industry and environmentalists.
The European Research Council withdraws support for open-access publishing initiative Plan S
Citing the effect on early career researchers, the ERC’s governing Scientific Council reiterated its support for open-access publishing while withdrawing from Plan S, the open-access initiative spearhead by the international consortium of research funders known as cOAlition S.
Canada Foundation for Innovation tops up operational funding for 14 national research organizations with additional $230 million
On Tuesday, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains announced the second instalment of the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Major Science Initiatives (MSI) Fund from 2017. The new parcel of operational funding amounts to nearly $230 million for 14 national research facilities at 10 universities.
Researchers warn of COVID-19’s outsized impact on women in science
Emerging evidence suggests a dramatic decline in research productivity among female researchers globally, especially those early in their careers who are more likely than their peers to have been juggling homeschooling and other parenting duties since the pandemic began. Academic researchers are sounding the alarm—and calling for swift action.
NGen supercluster’s new $30-million advanced manufacturing challenge seeks “transformative” products to combat COVID-19
The Next Generation (NGen) Manufacturing Canada supercluster’s new $30-million advanced manufacturing challenge encourages companies to make and supply “transformative” products to combat COVID-19.
Canadian innovation leaders launch coalition against racism
A group of 25 leaders from the Canadian tech and innovation sectors have launched the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism (CILAR), which plans to create more opportunities for BIPOC people within the innovation economy.
Western provinces first to adopt digital tool to streamline trade within Canada
The new Multi-Jurisdictional Registry Access Service (MRAS) aims to build a seamless internal market within Canada. Corporations Canada will join this fall, with more jurisdictions to follow.
Quebec City’s technologically advanced, deep-water container terminal to boost innovation in region’s maritime sector
Quebec City’s planned $775-million deep-water container terminal will anchor a new network for global maritime and logistics innovation that connects the scientific community with the “real” world.
Emerging tech: A portrait of Canada's graphene ecosystem
Graphene, the strongest and thinnest material in existence, is a “supermaterial” with many applications across industries. Here we look at the market forecast for this emerging technology and the key Canadian companies commercializing it.
Ottawa and Alberta collaborating to accelerate development of Canada's hydrogen economy
Ottawa and Alberta are working together and with other governments, industry, researchers and innovators to build a transformative clean “hydrogen economy” in Canada.
Webinar: Labour market leaders tackle the skills vs credentials dilemma
A disjunct exists between post-secondary institutions, industry, and government on the topic of skills. In this webinar discussion, three experts from Canada’s skills sector discuss the challenges and solutions.
Opinion Leader:
Gordon Harling
The global electronics supply chain is shifting. Canada must act to capitalize on this opportunity.
We have everything we need to build our state-of-the-art manufacturing capability and join the world’s most advanced economies. But to become a skilled manufacturing powerhouse, it will take leadership, partnership, and commitment.
Academic experts predict mixed outcomes for Canadian innovation due to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic’s short- and long-term impacts on Canadian innovation will be “mixed,” with new opportunities but also negative consequences, academic experts told a webinar presented by the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
Alberta hopes to attract investment in zero-emission industry with world’s largest carbon pipeline
Alberta expects its new carbon pipeline, the world’s largest, will attract companies wanting to build zero-emission industrial plants in the province.
The Short Report - July 15, 2020: Indigenous workers face high risk of automation, Quebec's homegrown innovators win funding, and more
One-third of Canada’s Indigenous workers are in jobs facing a high risk of automation, according to a new report; CED will invest $16.4 million in 46 homegrown Quebec businesses and organizations; the New Frontiers in Research Fund awards grant create an (AI)-enabled capsule capable of diagnosing gastrointestinal cancers; and more.
Quebec researchers help develop novel technique for creating powerful, compact lasers
International team including Quebec researchers develops innovative technique for increasing laser intensity, opening the door to producing highly powerful, smaller, less costly lasers.
The Short Report - July 8, 2020: A new innovation hub for Toronto, National Bank doubles down on Nest Wealth, and more
The Bank of Canada is partnering with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) to launch a BIS Innovation Hub in Toronto; National Bank of Canada’s venture-capital arm NAventures announced it will make an additional minority investment of up to $50-million in Toronto-based robo-advisor Nest Wealth; the federal government will invest $40 million over three years in the Union Training and Innovation Program; and more.
Defence leads funding for promising research collaboration to develop environmentally-friendly Canadian graphene
With funding from the Department of Defence and other agencies, the mineral development company ZEN Graphene Solutions has launched a research collaboration with UBC’s Dr. Mohammad Arjmand (PhD) and his team to develop graphene nanocomposites for use in satellites.
The Short Report - July 2, 2020: Saskatchewan moves on blue hydrogen, North sells south, and more
Saskatchewan approved a first-of-its-kind hydrogen production project; the Black Innovation Fellowship (BIF) at Ryerson’s DMZ announced a $1 million program expansion; Kitchener wearable tech company North will be sold to Google’s parent company Alphabet; and more.
Infographic: Canada's Hydrogen Economy Opportunity
Hydrogen fuel technology promises not only a path to meeting Canada’s climate goals, but an opportunity to prosper in the new clean energy economy.
Loading tweets...