How the USA and Canada are Leading in Consumer Technology Innovations
Each of the preceding challenges is systemic in size and breadth. Each will thus necessitate novel responses that straddle disciplines and abilities and, more than ever, locate technical solutions in their social and cultural contexts. To that purpose, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) convened an informal working group of approximately 40 thought leaders to explore potential key developments for Canada over the next 10 to 15 years. It is underlined that this study is advisory to the NRC and represents the Working Group's viewpoints alone,
not those of the NRC or the Government of Canada
This report is a collaborative effort by that Working Group. It is a horizon scan centered on the 2030-35 time period that aims to define strategic thinking at a high level while providing enough information to convey a sense of reality. The horizon scan was organized into six broad subject areas:
Climate Change & Resource Futures
Big Data and AI
Cybersecurity and Privacy
Health Care Futures
New Models for Innovation
For each topic area, the "horizon" in 2030-35 is outlined in two or three overarching "Statements" designed to consolidate and synthesize the Working Group's participation and discussions.
Each Statement is supported by two or three particular examples chosen from ideas presented by Working Group members
The Statements are not intended to be hard and fast forecasts. Neither do they claim to cover all aspects of the six topic areas. The Statements provide knowledgeable perspectives on the major aspects of what could be referred to as Canada's "space of challenge and opportunity" over the next 10 to 15 years. The emphasis is on science and technology, but it is supported by the relevant social and economic background.
The report's concluding chapter summarizes five common themes that cut across the various subject areas:
Competitiveness
Data is a strategic resource.
Sustainability and Resilience
Community engagement
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Working Group's 2030-35 perspectives depict a successful society in which technology is used to serve human aims, with advantages distributed equitably. The outlook is understandably hopeful given Canada's remarkable gifts and capabilities, but it also recognizes that considerable difficulties will need to be surmounted. Technology will play an important role in allowing Canadians to face problems and seize opportunities while led by human purpose.
Collection of Statements
The Statements should be interpreted as representing the anticipated scenario in 2030-35, i.e., from a future standpoint. Neither the Statements nor the illustrative examples are presented in any intended sequence of priority.
Top of page: 1. Climate Change.
1.1 Canada is making headway toward carbon-neutral energy production, but significant technological, economic, and political difficulties remain.
Examples that illustrate
1.1(a). Clean, renewable energy and widespread use of carbon capture, utilization, and storage are key components of Canada's climate plan.
1.1(b). Improved energy storage efficiency allows for broader use of wind and solar.
1.2 Canada supports electrification of road transportation as a means of reducing GHG emissions by about 150 million tonnes by 2050.
Examples that illustrate
Parked electric vehicles store energy in their batteries and provide it back to the "smart grid" as needed, with the utility paying the owner
1.2(b). Battery and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies allow for the electrification of numerous kinds of road transportation.
1.3 Climate change mitigation and adaptation decisions in Canada build social trust by aligning with and collaborating with affected communities.
Examples that illustrate
1.3(a). Strong Indigenous power over infrastructure project decisions, combined with (non-Indigenous) local community engagement expectations, transforms corporate models, government decision-making, and the timing and character of climate change responses.
1.3(b). Unstable citizen trust in institutions, as well as significant political polarization, make it difficult to establish and implement effective climate policies.
Top of page: 2. Resource Futures.
2.1 Technological advances in decarbonizing oil and gas production and use allow Canada to achieve significant emissions reductions while still producing these resources for internal and export markets.
Examples that illustrate
2.1(a). Natural gas combined cycle with carbon capture and storage ensures Canada's electricity supply while lowering GHG emissions.
2.1(b). Canada leads the world in the supply and usage of "blue" hydrogen, as well as carbon capture and storage.
2.2 Canada uses modern technologies to supplement its inherent advantages in agri-food production.
Examples that illustrate
2.2(a). "Smart" farms increase output, minimize potentially dangerous agri-food inputs, improve soil health, and strengthen Canada's position as the world's most reliable supplier of safe and sustainable agricultural exports.
2.2(b). Autonomous and year-round indoor fruit and vegetable production strengthens Canada's food security by lowering reliance on imports.
2.2(c). Consumers are increasingly choosing safe, nutritious, and cost-effective protein sources that are beneficial for animal welfare and have a low environmental impact.
2.3 Canada's forest and mineral resources meet rising global demand by developing new ways to extract more value while reducing environmental effect.
Canada must go beyond "action plans" to maintain its position as a major global supplier of numerous important minerals
The COVID-19 pandemic will eventually end, economies will recover, and Canada's attention will shift to the future. Some features of the future are already visible. Canada will commit to contributing in the global effort to ultimately solve climate change and environmental degradation. Our economy will need to discover new ways to stay competitive as data and information become more important components of production, and the superpower competition between the United States and China creates new challenges and opportunities for Canada's traditional trade and investment relations. Health care will need to embrace an ever-expanding range of novel therapies and technologies while dealing with the ongoing budgetary challenge provided by an aging population. These advancements will take place amid a social and political atmosphere that has finally begun to examine and address long-standing imbalances in the allocation of opportunities and obligations across Canadian society, particularly among Indigenous peoples and racial minorities.
The above challenges are all systemic in scope and magnitude. Each will consequently need unique responses that cross disciplines and talents, as well as, more than ever, the identification of technical solutions within their social and cultural settings. To that end, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) formed an informal working group of about 40 thought leaders to investigate potential major developments for Canada over the next 10 to 15 years. It is important to note that this study is advisory to the NRC and represents the Working Group's views alone, not those of the NRC or the Government of Canada.
The Working Group collaborated to create this report. It is a horizon scan concentrating on the 2030-35 time frame with the goal of defining strategic thinking at a high level while also conveying a sense of realism. The horizn scan was structured into six primary topic areas:
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