It’s time to nurture an emerging Canadian regenerative medicine industry
TORONTO—Canada is a world leader in regenerative medicine research and discovery, but excellent research is not enough. Canada needs to create jobs, by launching new companies, to profit from these discoveries and make sure the knowledge is being translated into products and therapies that will benefit Canadians. In regenerative medicine, as in other areas, […]
Feds investing more in science and technology ‘than ever in the history of our nation,’ says Goodyear
The life sciences sector is praising the federal government’s latest investments in scientific research and commercialization, but the industry says it will take a sustained effort before the emphasis on bringing innovations to market pays off. “This government has given more money to science and technology than ever in the history of our nation,” […]
Canada’s life sciences sector continues to drive innovation
Canada’s life sciences sector plays an important role in the Canadian economy and improves the daily lives of Canadians. The government of Canada has worked to sustain and grow this important sector by creating a strong business environment that attracts investment and by providing support for cutting-edge business innovation. The sector has been undergoing […]
Life sciences and the commodification of everything
SAANICH GULF ISLANDS, B.C.—It was once the case that the term “life sciences” meant the scientific study of living organisms. It meant biology, zoology, ecology, and even bio-ethics. In what must have been a public relations re-branding, “life sciences” has now adopted an almost entirely technological, commercial focus on genetically-modified products and pharmaceuticals. It […]
Feds shift funds away from basic science research to business-driven applied research programs
BURNABY-DOUGLAS, B.C.—Increasing productivity remains a tough challenge for all sectors of the Canadian economy, with one of the main concerns identified in the well-cited 2011 Jenkins report being “ Canada’s business innovation problem.” In Innovation Canada: A Call to Action, the Jenkins panel explains how Canadian businesses are much slower than our U.S. counterparts […]
Canada’s life sciences industry split on Canada-EU free trade agreement
Canada’s pharmaceutical and biotechnological research sectors say proposed changes to the country’s intellectual property regime will foster innovation and attract investment, but the generic drug and regenerative medicine sectors warn that the changes could have unintended consequences for the cost and quality of medicine in Canada. “We need to be as good as, if […]
Erasmus says AFN needs new approach with federal government
AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo, who was elected in 2009 and running for re-election next month, is being challenged by a number of candidates including an AFN regional chief who says the AFN needs a different approach to dealing with the federal government. “I have worked with a number of national chiefs and I found […]
Feds’ efforts to address aboriginal peoples’ disparity not good enough
ALGOMA, ONT.—This government’s effort to address the disparity between aboriginal peoples and Canadians isn’t going far enough or fast enough to address key fundamental issues in aboriginal communities. In fact, this current budget completely misses the mark, despite the promises made to take issues seriously and renew the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the Crown. […]
Land claims should be an engine of growth
PARLIAMENT HILL—The omnibus budget bill, C-38, aims to create jobs and wealth by streamlining the regulatory process and shorten the time required for environmental assessments. The government argues that five years is too long to take to get project approvals. Canada’s economic well-being is at stake. Settling and implementing land claims—comprehensive claims, specific claims, the […]
Future is bright for Canada’s aboriginal peoples
PARLIAMENT HILL—As a member of the Standing Committees on Aboriginal Peoples and Human Rights, and as a representative of the province of Ontario, advancing aboriginal issues is a key component of my mandate as a Senator. As a result, it was only fitting that on Jan. 24, 2012, I attended the Crown-First Nations Gathering; a […]
