Editoral

As the lead story in this issue illustrates, there is still some distance to go before a proposal for nearly $1 billion to fund research and training for information and communications technologies (ICT) is in shape to formally submit to government. At stake is an adequate supply of highly qualified personnel, upon which so many companies helping to build the knowledge-based economy depend.

The campaign to secure funding approval in next year's Budget is reaching its peak, with the lobbying effort about to move beyond the halls of senior bureaucracy and into the corridors of power where the ultimate decision will be made.

Few question the legitimacy of the request being formulated, but differences remain over exactly which disciplines will be included in the proposal. ICT is the broad area for which funds are being sought, but that also includes disciplines related to the hardware side of the equation which were the focus of a separate campaign last year.

There are encouraging signs that those differences are not serious enough to scuttle a deal between the stakeholders. That's extremely good news, because a proposal that's fractured or remains split into two won't be viewed favourably by a government that prefers proposals that can be packaged, funded and sold under a unifying theme. Without more money to conduct research and train the next generation of ICT workers, Canada's future role in the global economy could be seriously undermined.

The diverse interests backing the proposal would be wise to heed a quip recently relayed to this journalist - success will remain elusive unless all concerned work to avoid a hardening of the categories.

Mark Henderson, Managing Editor