Anticipation running high for S&T this fall as key federal initiatives move forward

Recent speeches by senior government ministers have raised hopes that S&T will climb up the ladder of government priorities and capture a significant share of the growing Budget surplus. Presentations by Finance minister Ralph Goodale have stressed the importance of increasing productivity, while those delivered by Industry minister Dr David Emerson have zeroed in on what is required to enhance competitiveness and innovation.

In an August 23 speech in Regina, Emerson delivered an innovation-heavy speech outlining his intention to push S&T to the top of the government’s agenda, enhance support for telecommunications and complete the connectivity agenda by bringing high-speed Internet access to hundreds of rural and remote communities.

“I see an economic engine with extraordinary power, power derived from a deeply embedded capacity for innovation. That has to become our central missions,” stated Emerson. “We need to drive science, technology and innovation deep into every corner of every region and sector. That is my obsession, as Industry Minister, and I want it to be an obsession of the government.”

There are a number of key initiatives and processes underway which are slated to culminate in late fall, likely November. The six-member Technology Commercialization Task Force is scheduled to produce preliminary recommendations this fall. Headed by Dr Joseph Rotman, the task force has been meeting biweekly and has entered into discussions with regional players, developing themes that will form the basis of a draft document. It’s uncertain whether the task force’s final report will be a public document.

In a related area, the Council of Science and Technology Advisors is examining the issue of diffusion and adoption of advanced technologies and business processes.

The long-awaited pilot programs for the commercialization of university and government research are being readied for an October-November roll-out. A Treasury Board submission on program design will be submitted for consideration this month and calls for proposals are expected before the end of the year.

On a much larger scale, the anticipated split of Technology Partnerships Canada into two distinct programs appears to be gathering steam. A government official says Emerson has kept his Cabinet colleagues abreast of his intention to create a new program or funding pool for large projects in the automotive and aerospace sectors, leaving TPC to focus on smaller firms.

The split of TPC was supposed to occur last spring but was apparently sidetracked by the challenge to the minority Liberal government followed by the summer recess. A fall announcement is planned but the timing will ultimately lie with Cabinet.

Emerson also reiterated his intention to “grow our critical mass of Canadian research capacity.”

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