Here are some of the high points from the Canadian Science Policy Centre’s (CSPC) July 31, 2025 update (received via email),
Register Now for Upcoming Virtual Panels
[Nature-based Solutions in Canada – policies, frameworks and multi-sector cooperation to reach Canada’s 2030 climate and biodiversity goals]
Organized by Future Earth, this panel will explore how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can be effectively designed, measured, and aligned with community and Indigenous priorities in Canada. NbS uses natural ecosystems to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss while benefiting communities. They are key to meeting Canada’s 30×30 conservation goals and reducing carbon emissions. However, clear frameworks to monitor their impact are still lacking.
To read more about the panel, click here.
Register (for free) Here
[Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: Canada’s Innovation Strategy for the Life Sciences Sector]
The Canadian life sciences sector is undergoing rapid and profound transformation, shaped by shifting geopolitical dynamics, evolving international partnerships, emerging health threats, and the accelerating pace of scientific and digital innovation. These forces are redefining how health technologies are developed, regulated, and distributed across borders—creating both complex challenges and promising opportunities for industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers.
This panel is the next in CSPC’s ongoing series exploring Canada’s Innovation Strategy in key sectors. We will have more sessions coming this fall so stay tuned for the details in the coming weeks.
To read more about the panel, click here.
Register (for free) Here
…
I have more details (e.g., date and time) for both panels. First, from the “Nature-based Solutions in Canada – policies, frameworks and multi-sector cooperation to reach Canada’s 2030 climate and biodiversity goals” event page, Note: I have edited the speaker list, please see the event page to access the speakers’ biography pages,
Date: Aug 19 [2025]
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm EDT
Event Category: Virtual Session
Website: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kQQEnUr1QmCQDDMgBNLPxQ
Venue
Zoom
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are actions to protect, manage and restore ecosystems for the benefit of people and nature. NbS are a promising avenue to meet Canada’s commitments to protect at least 30% of land and oceans by 2030 (30×30) under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and to address up to 35% of Canada’s 2030 carbon reduction commitment. But few frameworks exist to adequately monitor NbS implementation. To achieve sustained impact NbS must be co-created by multiple interest holders and align with social well-being, including priorities of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This panel will dive into the topic with the questions below. Join us for a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion on the future of Nature-based Solutions in Canada.
The panelists will address the following questions:
- What exactly do we mean by Nature-based solutions (NbS) and how to incentivize multiple sectors (academia, government, financial, civil) to move forward on solutions that are equitable for all?
- What is Canada doing to achieve its 30×30 targets, and why is that important in the lead-up to the next UN Climate Conference in November [2025] (COP30)?
- What are some examples in practice of sustainable finance investments for biodiversity or climate action?
- What are the economic pathways that can support equitable, Indigenous-led, and scalable NBS across Canada?
Register Here
Moderated by: Damon Matthews
Professor, Geography, Planning and Environment, Concordia University
Interim Executive Director, Future Earth Canada Hub and Sustainability in the Digital Age
Émilie Le Beuze
Senior Advisor, Engagement for Sustainable Finance & Biodiversity, Finance Montréal
Jason Taylor
Co-Founder and CEO, Climate Finance Advisors
Stephanie Poirier
Senior Policy Analyst, Climate Change and Sustainability, Standards Council of Canada
Zahra Jandaghian
Research Officer – Nature-based Solutions Lead, National Research Council of Canada
Kirsten Zickfeld
Distinguished SFU Professor of Climate Science, Simon Fraser University
Michael Twigg
Director, Nature Economies, Smart Prosperity Institute
A strong financier/financial services presence in the first panel, eh? The second panel has a speaker list dominated by the professional class that bounces from government to for-profit enterprises to non-profit enterprises while they rove from one business sector to another.. From the “Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: Canada’s Innovation Strategy for the Life Sciences Sector” event page, Note: I have edited the speaker list, please see the event page to access the speakers’ biography pages,
Date: Sep 11 [2025]
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm EDT
Event Categories: Innovation Virtual Series, Virtual Session
Website: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BeuZjs4XTuqE54CL6aeiMg
Venue
Zoom
This panel aims to explore how Canada’s life sciences sector can navigate the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape to foster sustained innovation and competitiveness. Panelists will discuss the key challenges that are currently limiting innovation. The conversation will delve into how both government and industry can respond strategically, with a focus on improving policy alignment, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and enhancing private sector R&D investment. The panel will also identify emerging global and domestic opportunities that Canada is uniquely positioned to leverage in this period of transformation.
The panelists will address the following questions:
- Considering the geopolitical shift, tariffs and a new dimension into the Canadian economy, what are the top three challenges currently hindering innovation in your sector?
- How should the government and industry respond to these challenges to enable long-term innovation and competitiveness?
- How can Canada enhance private sector R&D investment and capitalize on emerging opportunities in this sector?
- What new opportunities or advantages should Canada exploit in this sector despite (or because of) the changing global landscape?
Register Here
Moderated by: Dr. Jason Field
President & CEO Life Sciences Ontario
Karimah Es Sabar
Canadian Life Sciences Leader/Corporate Director/Strategic Advisor
Wendy Zatylny
President & CEO, BIOTEC [s.b. BIOTECanada; BIOTEC is a company in Thailand]
Stephanie Michaud
President & CEO, BioCanRx
Alexandre Le Bouthillier
Founding Partner & CEO, Linearis
Bethany Moir
VP Partnerships, AdMare [also known as, adMare BioInnovations]
Wendy Hurlburt
President & CEO, BC Life Sciences [also known as, Life Sciences British Columbia or Life Sciences BC]
Anne Stevens
VP of Business Development, AbCellera
Now for the call for editorial submissions. From the Canadian Science Policy Centre’s (CSPC) July 31, 2025 update, *ETA August 11, 2025: The deadline for submissions has been extended to September 5, 2025,*
Only Three Weeks Left Until
Deadline for Editorial Submissions
Only three weeks left to submit your editorials for CSPC’s Special Editorial Series. Canada’s defence spending is set to rise significantly—reaching NATO’s 2% target by 2025–2026 and projected to hit 5% by 2035. This historic shift presents a unique opportunity to strategically align defence investments with research, innovation, and economic development goals.
CSPC invites editorials on how this investment can strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem, research capacity, and economic growth. Contributions from researchers, policymakers, and industry experts are welcome. The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 22 [2025]. *ETA August 11, 2025: Thedeadline for submissions has been extended to September 5, 2025*
For more information on editorial guidelines and to submit an editorial, click the button below!
Submit an Editorial
From the “2025 Special Editorial Series” webpage, Note: Submissions are accepted in either English or French,
Defence spending as a catalyst for R&D, innovation, and economic growth in Canada
The Canadian government has committed to increasing defence spending, reaching NATO’s 2% GDP target ahead of schedule by 2025–2026, with spending projected to rise to 5% by 2035. Given the research-intensive nature of the defence sector and its heavy reliance on new technologies and scientific innovation, this marks a historic shift in Canada’s defence framework and opens up new opportunities for strategic investments in research and development (R&D). Many technologies in everyday public use today were originally developed through defence-related funding, highlighting the sector’s broader impact on technological advancement.
The CSPC invites editorials on how this increase could be strategically aligned with investments in R&D, drawing from international examples where defence spending has driven innovation. How can this shift bolster Canada’s innovation ecosystem, strengthen our research capacity, and contribute to long-term economic growth? What policies and practices from other countries could Canada adopt to make the most of this historic opportunity for innovation and economic development?
We welcome analyses from researchers, policymakers, and industry experts on how to leverage defence funding to advance science, innovation, and national prosperity.
Editorial Guidelines
Editorial Format & Requirements
- Word Count: Editorials should be 600–1000 words (some may range up to 1200 if needed).
- Original Work: Submissions must be the original work of the author(s) and should not have been published in any other media outlet.
- If any AI tools are used during preparation, please see below for more details.
- Submission Platform: Editorials must be submitted through the designated online form.
- Figures: You may include up to 3 high-quality figures to support your editorial. Submit figures as separate files (in addition to embedding them in the text) to ensure high-resolution publishing.
- Please provide artist credit where applicable.
- CSPC will not be accepting articles, which are promotional in nature (E.g., promoting a product, innovation, or service) or which include profanity of any form.
AI Usage Policy for CSPC Editorials
CSPC editorials must reflect the original thought and voice of the author(s). However, we recognize the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in content creation, research, and productivity.
Authors may use AI tools (e.g., for idea generation, drafting assistance, editing, summarization, or image generation) to support their writing process. All final editorial content must be written, reviewed, verified, and approved by the author(s) to ensure accuracy, clarity, and integrity.
If AI tools are used in any part of the editorial process, authors must include an acknowledgment indicating the use of AI.
CSPC does not permit editorials to be entirely generated by AI without human authorship, accountability, and oversight. Our goal is to promote transparency while supporting responsible and ethical use of technology in science policy dialogue. We are looking forward to presenting and highlighting your thoughts and perspectives on various topics for readership by a Canada-wide audience.
…
Where to Submit
We thank you for your submission. Please add editorial@sciencepolicy.ca to your contacts so that we can make sure any follow-up messages reach you.
If you have any questions about writing an editorial for CSPC, please do not hesitate to contact the Editorial Committee at editorial@sciencepolicy.ca.
EDITORIAL SUBMISSION FORM (ENG)
EDITORIAL SUBMISSION FORM (FR)
With the extraordinary emphasis on economic benefits, it sometimes seems like it’s the Canadian Science Moneymaking Policy Centre rather than the Canadian Science Policy Centre.
*ETA August 11, 2025: The deadline for submissions has been extended to September 5, 2025.*