Editorial - 24-7

The federal S&T file appears to be accelerating in recent weeks as the government moves to fill key positions and launch programs and consultation processes designed to give some heft to the high-level S&T Strategy. While the latest developments have their fair share of detractors, the mere fact that the government is acting on previous commitments (digital economy strategy, Grand Challenges Canada, Canada Research Excellence Chairs) is cause for some optimism.

Yet as the government is fond of saying, there is still lots more work to do. Canadians are still waiting on a number of critical files that are key to future prosperity and social well being. How much longer are we supposed to wait for a new long-term space strategy or a decision on big science operating funding and the CANDU assets of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd? These interminable delays are damaging not only to Canada's reputation as a nation committed to developing a knowledge-based economy, they are squandering real opportunities to provide the private sector with new business.

Despite the flurry of recent announcements, there appears to be a paucity of long-term thinking which reflects on government's diminished capacity to generate effective policy. But ultimately, it falls to government to move the S&T file more aggressively. That means ratcheting back on vote-grabbing legislation that panders to special interests groups (the gun registry, various tough-on-crime bills) and placing innovation front and centre in the government's pitch to citizens and eventually voters.