Editorial - 21-13

Canada finally appears to be putting the international in S&T. After years of paying lip service to the importance of international collaboration, the government is in serious catch-up mode with a flurry of activity that could yield significant benefits down the road. More importantly, Canada is starting to pay attention to nations in its own global backyard.

In recent weeks, we've seen a pending S&T agreement with Brazil and an energy S&T pact with Mexico and the US. Last year the wheels were set in motion to establish the Canada California Strategic Innovation Partnership. They all reflect a realization that steps need to be taken to address the accelerating globalization and complexity of S&T, whether it's pure research or applied R&D in the private sector.

The trouble is, other nations have taken similar steps before us and have backed up their policies with considerable resources. Establishing bi- and multi-lateral S&T relationships is complex and time consuming. But Canada must find ways to accelerate these agreements without getting dragged down by bureaucratic processes.

Canada finalized an S&T agreement with India in late 2005, but more than two years later not a penny has flowed. The organization established to manage collaborative projects between the two nations is still in start-up mode and modestly resourced.

If a small nation like Canada hopes to play with the big boys in the global arena, we much be far more aggressive in pursuing our strategic objectives. Otherwise, good intentions will not be realized.