Editorial - 16-18

Few will argue that Canada is desperately in need of a national S&T policy. The Holy Grail of this week’s national innovation summit is a national innovation and learning action plan that’s realistic, ambitious and above all achievable.

Canada has seen its fair share of S&T policies over the years, and heard governments announce bold targets that were never met. Cynics may wonder whether this attempt is any different. The consultation process that culminated in Toronto this week has had its fair share of detractors, and some are questioning the contents and breadth of the proposed strategy (see page 6).

But as Canada moves ahead in this new millennium, the stakes for getting the S&T policy have never been higher. The knowledge economy is becoming a dominant feature of the industrialized world and those in the developing world are eager to participate (but on their own terms). If Canada doesn’t lay the proper groundwork and establish an appropriate environment for increased innovation and productivity, there will be unpleasant, long-term repercussions.

Many aren’t waiting for the government to complete the development of an innovation strategy. As this issue shows, bold initiatives are being planned in areas of S&T that hold great promise. Nanotechnology and proteomics are seen as key enabling fields of science in which Canada must play to compete and prosper.

A strong federal innovation strategy is the bedrock of a knowledge-based economy. So is the vision contained in these two proposals. Together they could make for a winning combination.