BC creates Ministry of Science and Universities

The research and innovation branch of the British Columbia government is on the move again. After being bounced from the economic development portfolio to advanced education and back to economic development, the small branch is now part of the new Ministry of Science and Universities (MSU), raising the prospect that it may enjoy a higher profile in the future.

MSU was created as part of a larger bureaucratic shuffle that sees the province's colleges and institutes moved to the Ministry of Regional Economic and Skills Development, back tracking from the early days of the Gordon Campbell government when it emphasized consolidation, with research and innovation firmly tied to economic development. It has remained there for the past 10 years with the exception of 2005-2008 when it was merged with advanced education — a period which saw the creation of new entities such as the Centre for Digital Media and the Centre for Drug Research and Development.

What has remained consistent, however, is the collection of programs associated with research and innovation. Under MSU, the research and innovation branch retains authority for the BC Innovation Council (entrepreneurship and commercialization), the Premier's Technology Council (advice), the Leading Edge Endowment Fund (university and regional innovation chairs), and the BC Knowledge Development Fund (matching BC investments from the Canada Foundation for Innovation). MSU also has responsibility for universities and their financing, policy and accountability.

MSU's research and innovation branch is tiny compared to those of Ontario, Quebec and even Alberta. The Gordon Campbell government eliminated most direct business subsidy programs when it assumed power nearly 10 years ago (R$, August 1/10), with few direct support programs for business. Assistance to innovation businesses is delivered primarily through the BC Renaissance Capital Fund and a 30% business tax credit for smaller tech firms. Clean tech firms have access to the Innovative Clean Energy Fund, which provides about $25 million a year in R&D support.

MSU's minister is Ida Chong (previously minister for Healthy Living and Sport) and the DM is Don Fast, a veteran bureaucrat, most recently DM at the Ministry of Technology, Trade and Economic Development.

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