News That Matters To You

By Roseann O'Reilly Runte
"Big science" done in Canada's major science facilities, uniting researchers across provinces, deserves stable funding to maintain global leadership and contribute positively to Canadians' health, the environment and the economy, says Roseann O'Reilly Runte. Sustained investment in infrastructure like ocean research networks ensures Canada benefits from the growing global ocean economy while protecting the country's waters and marine life, she says.

By George Poulakidas
Food security is national security, and global challenges with food systems are increasing grocery prices and affecting one-quarter of Canadians with food insecurity, says George Poulakidas at Genome British Columbia. The science of genomics can help, including by boosting productivity and increasing climate resilience, early detection and control of biological threats, and making ecosystems and soils measurable - and therefore manageable, he says.

By Simon Raby
Canada invests billions of dollars annually in research and innovation (R&I), yet the country lacks a cohesive strategy, stewardship and a "scoreboard" to translate this spending into tangible national advantages, says Simon Raby at Mount Royal University. Without a clear, measurable and accountable strategy, Canada risks falling behind in productivity and technological advancement despite its R&I investments, strong research and talent, Raby says.

By Max Peacock
Gen Z feels "cooked" by extractive technologies, leading to anxiety and polarization, says Max Peacock, Digital Strategist at the Institute for Collaborative Innovation. Instead of ineffective regulations, Peacock advocates for building public digital infrastructure, drawing inspiration from Taiwan and Estonia, to empower citizens and foster a healthier digital society.

By Geoffrey Blanc
Despite investments in modernizing public services, Geoffrey Blanc of Cyberimpact argues Canada's digital government strategy overlooks email infrastructure, a critical channel for sensitive data and citizen communication. Neglecting email governance erodes trust and undermines the effectiveness of digital services, he says, urging policymakers to treat email as essential infrastructure.

By Mike Litvinenko
Health systems should prioritize AI that strengthens clinical reasoning and reduces diagnostic errors, says Mike Litvinenko from Eximion. Litvinenko suggests durable clinical impact requires investment in capability-building systems, including rehearsal-based training and evaluation standards that measure reasoning.

By David Watters
David Watters at the Institute for Collaborative Innovation looks at the Council of Canadian Academies expert panel report on the State of Science, Technology and Innovation in Canada 2025. He focuses on the panel’s recommendation that Canada urgently needs a “coordinated and wide-ranging overhaul of innovation-oriented policy by all of Canada’s governments,” and offers next steps for starting this process.

By Jeffrey Crelinsten
How to spend $750 million in federal funding to best support Canada's startup to scale-up pipeline? Jeffrey Crelinsten, CEO of The Impact Group and publisher and owner of Research Money, weighs the differing perspectives in the debate. He argues that that focusing on later-stage funding rounds to support scaling firms and creating innovative investment models is crucial for building anchor companies and retaining domestic talent.

By Alexander Zelenski
Canada's Budget 2025 allocates only one percent of federal spending to youth, despite comprising 19 percent of the population, says Alexander Zelenski, innovation analyst and researcher for the Institute for Collaborative Innovation Canada. This underinvestment undermines Canada’s competitiveness by neglecting the workforce essential for addressing critical challenges and driving innovation, he says.