Editorial - 29-1

A new year inevitably affords the opportunity to apply both hindsight and foresight to Canadian S&T and 2015 is going to be remarkable in several ways. Most obviously, it's an election year which puts every federal move and pronouncement in a political context.

Perhaps more ominously, the Canadian economy is starting to experience the shockwaves of a rapidly evolving economy prompted by the plummeting price of oil coupled with a rapid depreciation of the Canadian dollar. The once reliable policy emphasis on natural resources is suddenly cast in a new light with predictions of austerity for oil-rich western provinces and an upswing in the manufacturing regions of the country, particularly southwestern Ontario.

This year also marks the implementation of Canada's refreshed science, technology and innovation strategy — notable for broadening the scope of the 2007 iteration to include not only innovation but advanced manufacturing.

It's the latter inclusion that bodes well for future S&T. The announcement of a National Research Council-led Factory of the Future program, while remaining curiously undefined, represents a hugely important policy development (R$, November 27/14).

That it also inordinately impacts vote-rich Ontario means the program details will be used for maximum political gain. While understandable, it's unfortunate that the government's belated embrace of advanced manufacturing may be used more for political advantage than the potential benefit it could bring to the national economy.