Author: Lindsay Borthwick

New 10-year CIHR strategy focuses on health equity, Indigenous research and knowledge mobilization

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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has released a strategic plan that calls health equity “the most pressing health-related challenge in our country” and charts a course toward reducing health inequalities across Canada over the next decade. Researchers say inadequate funding and low success rates continue to be major problems, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, and also need to be addressed.

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Canada launches $53-million strategy to combat COVID-19 variants as experts warn of potential third wave

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday a new strategy to address variants of concern in the COVID-19 pandemic. The $53-million strategy aims to rapidly expand Canada’s surveillance, sequencing and research efforts. It brings together the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory, the Canadian COVID Genomics Network (CanCOGen), the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) as well as the provinces and territories.

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New algorithmic assessment tool promotes responsible use of AI in government

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The Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) tool is a critical part of the Treasury Board’s directive on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in government. A first of its kind, the AIA is designed to assess and reduce the risks of using AI systems in the delivery of services and programs to Canadians. But the impact the tool will have is still unclear. Lauded as an example of innovative policymaking., there are early signs that compliance may be an issue.

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New laws and regulations urgently needed to address AI risks, say experts

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Canadian policymakers have been very influential in promoting responsible artificial intelligence (AI) globally, according to experts participating in the third annual AICan meeting. But as the development, deployment and use of autonomous systems accelerates, Canada urgently needs new laws and regulations to ensure they benefit everyone.

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New software tool aims to be “one-stop shop” for COVID-19 recommendations

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Researchers at McMaster University, along with an international team of collaborators, have launched a freely accessible living map of COVID-19 guidelines. In developing the electronic platform, their goal  is to help decision-makers quickly access and use the best-available scientific advice related to the pandemic from around the world. 

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R&D focused on underwater vessel noise key to protecting Canada’s whales

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A new marine acoustic research station near Rimouski, Quebec—a first of its kind in Eastern Canada—has been funded by Transport Canada to address a major threat to St. Lawrence Estuary’s marine mammals: underwater vessel noise. It is the latest in a string of investments through the Quiet Vessel Initiative, a 5-year, $26-million national program to advance research and development and deployment of quiet vessel solutions.

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CANARIE’s research software development team program goes national

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Research software is an increasingly critical part of the discovery process in science today. A new national program from CANARIE is funding the creation of six local teams across the country—from Simon Fraser University to Université Laval—exclusively focused on research software development.

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Regional hydrogen nodes could accelerate Canada’s energy transition

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The Greater Edmonton Region has the right ingredients to become Canada’s first hydrogen node and tap into a wholesale market potential of up to $100 billion per year, says a new report from Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Hydrogen Task Force. On the heels of the report, Ontario kickstarted the development of a provincial hydrogen strategy, which is expected to be released in 2021.

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New partnerships help nanotech startups access Japanese market

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A new partnership between the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and Landing Pad Tokyo will help Canadian startups accelerate the development of their technologies and break into the Japanese market—the world’s third largest national economy.

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