Canada losing ground in global science race: report
IVAN SEMENIUK – SCIENCE REPORTER
The Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, May. 22 2013, 6:00 AM EDT

Without more support for industry investment in research and development, Canada will be hard-pressed to keep up with international competitors and will risk an erosion of its economic well-being, a benchmark report on the state of the nation’s science and technology landscape has revealed.

The report is the latest in a series of biennial reviews from the Science, Technology and Innovation Council, an 18-member panel that the Harper government created in 2007 to replace a range of science policy advisers and bodies. Its findings indicate that Canada has dropped in rank from 16th to 23rd in overall expenditures on research and development relative to GDP compared to other economically developed countries.

Among the indicators where Canada is falling behind or could do better, the report identifies the number of doctorates awarded in science and technology relative to the total population, the fraction of Canadians working in science and technology, support for research in academic institutions, R&D investment by the private sector and spending on information and communication technology in support of innovation.

“We continue to face challenges as an innovation nation,” said Howard Alper, a professor of chemistry at the University of Ottawa who chairs the council. “This has to change if we are to compete well internationally and secure a strong future.”

The report’s release on Tuesday coincided with another briefing in Ottawa in which Gary Goodyear, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, announced the awarding of $413-million for basic science through the National Science and Engineering Research Council. The announcement does not represent new money but rather the allocation of funding already in NSERC’s budget.

With the government facing criticism in recent weeks that it has skewed Canada’s research priorities too far in the direction of applied research with short-term commercial goals, Mr. Goodyear insisted that federal support for basic research is strong.

“It’s not one or the other,” he said. “It is a continuum that includes the full spectrum of activity from basic research to innovation and through to the commercialization of those discoveries.”

James Turk, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, agrees that Canada needs a balanced approach to funding science across the spectrum, but says funding for basic, blue-sky research in real dollars is down and the government’s announcement doesn’t change that.

“It’s trying to give the appearance of something without the reality,” Mr. Turk said of the funding announcement.

Mr. Goodyear said that the STIC report showed the government was “on the right track” in its efforts to push for a stronger relationship between academic research and industry, including refocusing the work of the National Research Council to aide business with problem-specific research.

The report recommends more emphasis on direct government support for industry-driven research instead of indirect support in the form of tax credits. It also stressed how competing nations typically have a more integrated framework in which government, universities and industry work together to maximize returns on investment in science and technology.

Paul Dufour, an adjunct professor with the University of Ottawa’s Institute for Science, Society and Policy, said it is not clear what elements of the report – if any – the federal government will take up in earnest. He noted the government has not reported on or revised its own stated science and technology policy since 2009, and added, “I think it would help the debate in this country and move the agenda forward” if it did so.

View the entire article here.

UberDave, more formally known as Dave Phillips, has moved his offices into the Boiler House at VITP to set up a new studio where he can film and edit onsite videos.  We’ve decided to enlist his talents to better showcase all that VITP has to offer with video rather than still images coupled with short novels.

Featured below is Dale Gann, President of the tech park discussing the motivation behind introducing our Thought Leadership Series and the benefits to those who wish to attend.  On February 22, 2012 influential speaker, triathlete and entrepreneur Rob Dyke presented “Choice, Change & You”.  Check out the video for a short re-cap and be sure to attend our next instalment!

On February 20, 2012 Dr. Christoph Borchers of the UVic Genome BC Proteomics Centre hosted the 4th Annual BC Proteomics Network Meeting.  Check out the video to hear what’s new in the world of proteomics!

Nikki de Goey is the Manager of Culture and Corporate Relations at Vancouver Island Technology Park.

This year, for the very first time, IE participants will experience a different twist as they travel to Victoria for two action-packed days in the province’s capital. Sixty- six BC students, who brought home 87 awards for a total of $84,150 in prize money at the 2011 CWSF, will meet and engage with a number of Victoria’s leading technology and science organizations including:  Victoria Advanced Technology Council, Vancouver Island Technology Park, Centre of the Universe (Astronomy Interpretive Centre), The University of Victoria, Natural Resources Canada and the Institute for Ocean Sciences. IE will culminate at a Grand Opening Dinner where BC’s brightest will have a chance to meet and mingle with prominent members of government, academia and business.

“BCIC is very excited to be collaborating with some of Victoria’s top leaders in the technology community to host this event,” said Tomica Divic, Manager of Imagination Strategies (Secondary Schools) at BCIC says,  ”This is an incredible opportunity for BC’s young student scientists and budding entrepreneurs to have a unique look into potential science and technology careers in BC .”

For more information about Innovation Exploration, visit our website at http://www.bcic.ca/programs/talent/innovation-exploration