Editorial - 19-4

The timing would have been perfect. A freshly crafted commercialization strategy coinciding with the February 23rd Budget, which delivered a series of strategic investments designed to stimulate and support innovation. Key organizations and programs are given refreshed mandates and commensurate funding, jumpstarting a new era in Canada’s quest to lead in the knowledge-based economy.

Sadly, it was not to be. The commercialization strategy is still months away completion and the Budget was bereft of any new initiatives geared to R&D commercialization. Instead, the bulk of the Budget’s S&T funding was allocated to programs that were close to running on empty. What’s worse, requested funding levels were nearly all reduced.

In this case, playing the blame game isn’t very productive. One can quibble about the performance of the bureaucrats charged with pushing the innovation agenda forward. But extenuating circumstances over the past year — a change in leadership, a minority government, the departure of key personnel at Industry Canada — were disruptive enough to derail the best laid plans.

Happily, there are signs that the turmoil has largely subsided and Industry Canada — the lead department for innovation and commercialization — is now headed by a promising new minister.

Although it’s still early days for Dr David Emerson, it’s a fairly safe bet that he’s the most passionate and capable Industry minister since John Manley. The S&T community will be relying upon him to champion the innovation agenda and ensure its full adoption.