Editorial - 16-20

Taken as a whole, the stories in this issue of RE$EARCH MONEY provide an advance snapshot of the direction that Canadian S&T will be moving in the new year. Although the image is still blurry, one can discern a growing willingness by all sectors in the innovation system to boost R&D spending and tackle barriers to increased productivity and prosperity.

With the completion of consultations for the government’s Innovation Strategy, 2003 is the year when all players are expected to move into high gear.

Perhaps the most promising signal comes from the bold step taken by two Ottawa companies to wade into the mine-laden field of broadband applications. The partnership between Ottawa and Mitel and March Networks indicates that at least some Canadian firms are willing to assume considerable risk (albeit with government assistance) and raise the bar for private sector innovation.

Whether the issue is the indirect costs of university research, cluster development, regulatory reform or a major R&D push to underpin the Kyoto accord, governments are expected to do their part.

New Brunswick is taking the first steps in a long overdue innovation strategy of its own, determined to boost its R&D and innovation performance.

On the university front, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada is carving out its members’ role in the national Innovation Strategy.

All are promising beginnings towards a critical objective: making Canada among the most innovative nations on the planet. The next 12 months could determine whether the nation has what it takes to meet the challenge and win.