Editorial - 15-17

There’s no doubting that the atmosphere surrounding this year’s run-up to the next Budget is different. There’s a greater sense of urgency than at any time since the dark days of Program Review as Canada rapidly descends from an extended period of prosperity into one of uncertainty with a dizzying array of variables.

How long will the war against terrorism last and what resources will be required to support Canada’s contribution? Will the telecommunications and other high technology sectors ever fully recover from last year’s dot com debacle? Will a prolonged recession push the federal government into deficit?

And where does all this leave the federal government’s much vaunted innovation agenda and its goal of dramatically increasing the nation’s R&D performance from 15th to 5th?

Earlier this month, the heads of the granting agencies, the National Research Council, industry groups and others appeared before the Finance standing committee to express their views (see page 2). By and large, the message was one of staying the course and pushing ahead with innovation on all fronts.

At issue is much more than timing. The Liberals have made innovation a central plank of their vision for Canada’s future. Without a concerted and coordinated effort, ambitious targets will be missed and opportunities squandered.

The government promises plenty of consultation on the issues central to innovation, but an earlier opportunity arrives next month with RE$EARCH MONEY’s conference on moving from 15th to 5th. I look forward to hearing your views.