Topic: Applied Research

Canada needs a targeted industrial strategy to improve innovation performance, experts say

Canada’s continued poor performance in innovation and business productivity is due to a failure to link publicly funded research and innovation programs to an industrial strategy based on the country’s strengths, say innovation experts. Meanwhile, studies by University of Toronto researchers show the federal innovation agenda has negatively impacted funding for basic, investigator-driven research but hasn’t addressed the underlying problem of industrial innovation in Canada.

Looking back on three years of federal action on IP and tech transfer in Canada

The federal government has created several initiatives since 2018 to bolster new knowledge generation, facilitate commercialization and support technology transfer at post-secondary institutions. Ottawa also has introduced five separate initiatives under Canada’s first-ever National IP Strategy, launched in 2018.

The Short Report, March 4, 2019: Kirsty Duncan moves for a standing committee on science and research; Alberta cuts post-secondary education funding; Canadian miners make an action plan

The Short Report: New Parliamentary standing committee proposed for science and research; new Protein Industries Supercluster projects; Alberta cuts post-secondary education funding while Ontario increases it; boosting competitiveness of Canada’s mining sector; creating research internships for students; Canadian science for the Moon; developing small nuclear reactor technology; and more.

Huawei benefits outweigh drawbacks for Canada’s 5G network, says veteran telecom expert

Canada can build its 5G networks wthout Huawei, but the Chinese telecom giant’s participation would likely improve innovation, price and delivery. A federal decision on Huawei’s potential role is expected soon. Meanwhile, Rogers Communications, which has partnered with Swedish equipment supplier Ericsson, lit up Canada’s first 5G network last week.