Panel Abstract:
Canada and the world are facing a polycrisis – the convergence of many increasingly interconnected wicked problems, that put into question Canada’s ability to sustain its economic, social, security and environmental wellbeing. Emerging and disruptive technologies, social polarization, climate change, bio-diversity loss, pandemics, mass migrations, geopolitical conflict, wealth distribution, supply chain disruptions, inflation, low productivity, affordability, mis/disinformation are all key risks at play.

The Panel will bring together diverse perspectives on how to ensure Canada’s STI ecosystem can meet the challenges of providing the knowledge, technology, talent and innovation necessary to enable Canada to adapt in response to the polycrisis.

Summary of Conversations

The panel explored Canada’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem’s role in addressing global crises. Discussions emphasized the polycrisis—concurrent, interdependent global challenges impacting Canadians—and the need for innovation at scale and pace. Panellists highlighted concerns about citizen disengagement due to overwhelming negative news, the slow translation of research into benefits, and the importance of trust in experts and institutions. Opportunities for collaborative innovation, results-oriented approaches, and faster processes were underscored. Reframing the STI system’s goals to include technology generation and harnessing, focusing on domestic problem-solving and strategic exports, was proposed. The discussion calls for new ways of thinking, emphasizing collective action.

Take Away Messages/ Current Status of Challenges

• Citizen Disengagement: Overwhelming negative news leads to public tune-out, hindering engagement with crucial information.
• Ecosystem Fragmentation: Systemic fragmentation prevents citizens from understanding how STI affects their daily lives.
• Erosion of Trust: Derision for expertise undermines trust in experts, journalists, and institutions.
• Process over Outcome: Excessive focus on process obscures the importance of achieving tangible results.
• Velocity Deficit: Canada’s slow pace in regulatory approvals and innovation adoption leads to companies moving abroad.
• Siloed Information: Information silos and alternative facts hinder collective understanding and action.
• Limited Technology Conversion: Underperformance in translating research into intellectual property limits domestic benefits.

Recommendations/Next Steps

• Promote Collaborative Innovation: Encourage collaborative ecosystems to bring diverse perspectives to problem-solving.
• Prioritize Results and Speed: Obsess over outcomes and accelerate regulatory processes to remain globally competitive.
• Enhance Science Communication: Improve communication to connect citizens with STIs’ relevance in their lives.
• Foster Trust: Build trust by promoting honesty, integrity, and transparent communication.
• Inspire Collective Action: Develop narratives that inspire collective understanding, vision, and ambition.
• Reframe STI Goals: Balance technology generation with technology harnessing to solve domestic problems.
• Strategic Investment: Prioritize investments based on potential impact, and avoid spreading resources too thinly across regions.
• Encourage Open Dialogue: Promote open discussions and information sharing to facilitate a collaborative approach.