Article Type: Editorial

America is betting big on fusion energy. Canada must do the same with hydrogen.

An overlooked section of the recent American Energy Act of 2020 outlines a sweeping new plan to build a domestic fusion energy industry, modelled on the recent success of the commercial spaceflight industry. Canada has an opportunity to do the same with our burgeoning homegrown hydrogen economy.

Long-overdue federal laboratories investment heralds new era of collaboration

With the federal government’s new $2.8-billion investment in collaboration centres, Canada’s lacklustre record on stimulating collaboration in the innovation ecosystem is about to change. With a laser-sharp focus on marshalling resources and expertise regardless of their source, the country stands to derive much greater benefits from its investments in science, technology and innovation.

For effective innovation, don’t skimp on storytelling

In this era of rapid change and economic upheaval, Canada’s leading STI organizations must balance an array of complex and urgent priorities. It’s easy to let communication take a back seat, but storytelling is essential to the success of any innovation endeavor.

A long-term research and pandemic strategy is long overdue

Expert groups called for a national and holistic approach to pandemic planning in 1993 and again in 2003. With $1-million in seed funding, the current federal government is finally moving to make a long-term research and pandemic strategy a reality.

Decarbonizing finance never looked smarter

Volatility in the oil market is shifting the financial calculus for institutional investors, for whom renewable projects are starting to look more and more like the safer bet.

Meeting COVID-19 with clarity and collaboration

Even as we suffer the immense consequences of the pandemic, the fight against COVID-19 has at least inspired a surge in public acceptance and support for science. But there’s a dangerous flipside to this enthusiasm, embodied in the wild promises of President Trump. We need clarity and collaboration more than ever.