The federal government released its latest science and technology strategy in December, with critics saying it’s just further evidence that Ottawa is out of touch with the real needs of the research community.

A new year always brings change, and 2015 is shaping up to offer more than its share of possibilities. Canadians will go to the polls for the sixth time since 2000 — and only the 42nd since Confederation. After five years of Conservative governments, there is much for us to reflect on as we consider the path we want to see our country taking in the years to come.

When the Canadian Institutes of Health Research was first established in 2000, the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health (IAPH) was one of its 13 research institutes. IAPH’s two scientific directors to date moved with creativity and conviction to tackle the need to prepare a cadre of mostly Aboriginal health researchers to reform in all aspects of the research process.

Since the federal Conservatives took office in 2006, they have made it clear that collaboration between federally-funded scientists and the private sector is their best answer to strengthening Canada’s position in the world of science, targeting new investments in science and tech­no­logy.

A post-secondary institution in Calgary has become the latest in Alberta to change its name to reflect its scope and ambitions: St. Mary’s University College is now St. Mary’s University.