Why Canada’s research excellence hasn’t translated into business innovation
Federal government funding for research has shifted significantly towards industry-academic partnerships at the expense of basic, or curiosity-driven, research. As an MP with three post-secondary institutions in his riding, I hear constantly from affected researchers. Industry-academic partnerships direct research in university and government laboratories to help businesses innovate and compete, but are they the […]
Moore faces high expectations following major ministerial promotion
A poor innovation record and a new consumer-focused government agenda are just a few of the policy challenges facing new Industry Minister James Moore. Mr. Moore (Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam, B.C.) was one of a select few ministers to receive a promotion when Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) announced his Cabinet shuffle earlier […]
Tory rhetoric doesn’t match their record on innovation
Expert analysis continues to stress that weak innovation policies are putting Canada’s future economic growth and productivity at risk. Most recently, the World Economic Forum’s 2013-2014 Global Competitiveness Report underscored how we need to improve our innovation ecosystem and promote private-sector investment in research and development. Despite having advantages when it comes to global […]
Canadian manufacturing at a crossroads
The federal government and industry are banking that the recently-announced Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will help revive Canada’s value-added sector, but critics of the government’s industrial policy say a more coherent strategy is needed to reverse a decade of manufacturing job losses. Whether CETA is going to help, hinder, or maintain the […]
Canada’s innovation record continues to lag in latest World Economic Forum report
Canada’s economic competitiveness has stalled according to the latest rankings by the World Economic Forum, but experts see progress in recent federal policies aimed at bolstering Canadian firms’ access to venture capital and encouraging public-private collaboration. If there was a silver lining in the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Competitiveness rankings, it’s that Canada […]
Space Agency launches first-ever stratospheric balloon in Canada
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) successfully launched the first-ever stratospheric balloon in Canada high into the Timmins, Ont., sky in September. The balloon was launched from the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon base, constructed at a cost of $4-million last year. Travelling nearly 400 kilometres during its 10- hour flight, the remotely-controlled balloon with two payloads […]
Bombardier boosts its presence in Russia
Bombardier’s commuter and business jets are gaining ground in developing markets as the company rolls out its new CSeries jets. The CSeries’ success may be determined in countries like China and Russia, which are expected to be among the world’s hottest airplane markets—for both commercial and business jets. In China, Bombardier has sold 177 […]
Canada’s aerospace potential
If one were to judge from the volume of the political debates about the aerospace industry in Canada, one could be forgiven for thinking that the purchase of the F-35s was the only issue. The reality is that there are very different kinds of aeronautic purchases, and different kinds of aeronautics companies. The giants […]
Aerospace a key Canadian industrial sector
A vibrant Canadian aerospace industry is vital to both our domestic economy and our national security, and the federal government has an important role to play. Well managed, government procurement is a key driver of industry innovation and growth. Poorly managed, government wastes industry’s time and resources, thus hampering its success. As the recently-appointed Liberal […]
Less rhetoric, more action needed for aerospace industry
When it comes to Canada’s aerospace industry, the Conservatives have dozens of well-worn talking points. However, when required to support their rhetoric with concrete action, the results are disappointing. The fifth-largest in the world, Canada’s aerospace industry is a critically important contributor to our economy. This sector provides 66,000 good-paying, quality, middle-class jobs in […]
