Editorial - 19-7

There’s a very high probability that Canada’s innovation landscape is about to experience a significant shift. Part of this change can be anticipated. Governments across the land are placing greater emphasis on the market end of the innovation spectrum to better exploit investments made in the research base.

But the forces that could cause even greater upheaval are less predictable. After less than one year of minority Liberal rule, Canadians may be marching to the ballot box in a matter of weeks. The outcome is far from certain and the S&T community is understandably concerned. The Liberals have been good to the R&D community, particularly the university sector. Whether the fiscal surpluses continue and S&T is a beneficiary remains to be seen.

We’ve already seen one Budget from a minority government and the results weren’t impressive. Minority governments don’t move as quickly as those in which one party holds the reins of power. Commercialization has become an urgent priority and if another minority government replaces the current version, further delays are a virtual certainty.

Even the funding committed in the most recent Budget is in limbo. Unless the Budget appropriations bill is passed before an election is called, many organizations will be forced into crisis mode.

Political volatility would be tempered if Canada had a strong, clear innovation policy that could be transferred from one administration to the next. Unfortunately that’s not the case. S&T and Canadian innovation could be in for a rough ride.