Featured Stories

Thousands of green energy jobs have been created in Toronto and Ontario, but challenges remain

Paul Carlucci Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Launched in 2009, Ontario's Green Energy Act has seen its share of brown-outs. A World Trade Organization dispute, an inadequate infrastructure, and a vocal anti-wind lobby have all caused problems. But, even still, new green jobs are coming on stream in the GTA and elsewhere in Ontario.

conservation, Research and Innovation, Sustainability

Don Mills, Mississauga, Vaughan

Have charge, will travel -- Toronto's Better Place helps drivers understand electric cars

Paul Gallant Wednesday, April 13, 2011

With its new Toronto education center, Better Place aims to convince drivers that recharging an electric vehicle is as easy as topping up your cell phone credit. It's an early step in making EVs an everyday part of Toronto and Ontario transportation options.

electric vehicles, Research and Innovation, Sustainability

OCAD U sees an accessible future with new Master program in inclusive design

Jaclyn Law Wednesday, March 30, 2011

As our population ages and the rights of disabled people are getting more attention, OCAD University has started a new Master program in inclusive design to create a brain trust of people skilled in accessible technologies from many sectors.

Design, Higher Education , Research and Innovation

Queen/King West

University of Toronto's Citizen Lab: new funding, diverse students, global reach

Alexandra Shimo Wednesday, March 30, 2011

University of Toronto's Citizen Lab has opened its arms to the private sector, working with companies around the world on human rights issues. The lab is also tapping into the University's diverse student population to help it do its global work.

Diversity, Higher Education , new canadians, Research and Innovation

Pedal really means power at the Hart House gym

Edward Keenan Wednesday, March 09, 2011

The University of Toronto and Hart House are about to turn their gym into a power plant, but instead of coal or nuclear fuel, it'll be the muscle and sweat of people using the stationary bikes that will be putting electricity back into the grid. Fit bodies lead to green energy.

conservation, Higher Education , Research and Innovation, Sustainability

Glen Murray, Minister of Research and Innovation

Glen Murray's Ministry of the Future leads Toronto & Ontario in a new direction

Bert Archer Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Yonge Street's Bert Archer recently sat down with Ontario's new Minister of Research and Innovation, Glen Murray, to talk about urbanism, sustainable transportation and technological and social innovation in and around Toronto.

City Building, Higher Education , Research and Innovation, Sustainability, Transportation

Jam Johnson, of the Neighbourhood Basketball Association

Social entrepreneurship in Toronto is hot and may be a future direction for capital markets

Joseph Wilson Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada awards small loans to a new generation of people who think you can make money and do good at the same time, like Jam Johnson, founder of Toronto's Neighbourhood Basketball Association.

City Building, Research and Innovation

Toronto's 49 Pixels project is mapping out our Silicon Valley North

Joseph Wilson Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Toronto and Canada have become hotbeds of tech industry activity -- often micro-agencies with 5-15 employees -- but until now we haven't had a good idea what this rapidly growing sector looks like. Mesh Prize winner Justin Kozuch's 49 Pixels is leading an extensive survey that will tell us just what we've got going on here.

Research and Innovation

Always innovative Toronto Public Library lets us check out humans as well as books

Paul Gallant Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Even as it's entered the digital age, the Toronto Public Library has kept real live people at the heart of its enterprises so the world's biggest public library system continues to be a busy and crucial part of everyday Toronto life.

City Building, Diversity, Research and Innovation

The NFB's innovative Out my Window online documentary looks out of Toronto's windows and beyond

Michelle Kasprzak Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Toronto-based director Katerina Cizek breaks new ground in the documentary format with Out My Window, a multi-media National Film Board project about the highrises we call home here in Toronto and around the world. Already the city-building project is nominated for an award at the Sheffield Doc Fest, and will be presented in installation form at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam this month.

City Building, Diversity, Research and Innovation

Parkdale

Toronto's CFC Media Lab is a world pioneer in digital interactive media & now they mean business.

Joseph Wilson Wednesday, November 03, 2010

The Canadian Film Centre Media Lab has been exploring the cutting edge of interactive storytelling through its multi-disciplinary program called the Telus Interactive Art and Design Program. With a recent move to MaRS, they are starting to incubate companies and find ways to make money through art and expression.

Design, Research and Innovation

Leading Toronto into sustainability: a Q & A with cleantech guru Tom Rand.

Carla Lucchetta Wednesday, October 27, 2010

As Cleantech Practice Lead Advisor at MaRS and a renewable energy venture capitalist, Tom Rand knows how to spot a bankable sustainable energy idea. Yonge Street sat down with him to discuss how Toronto is fairing in the world of clean and green and which local company is going to be the next RIM.

Research and Innovation, Sustainability

Samara is bringing hope, change and political engagement to Canadian politics

Piali Roy Wednesday, September 22, 2010

If election season's got you down, Toronto-based Samara is trying to make things brighter by changing the public's cynicism towards Canadian politics, one initiative at a time.

Higher Education, Research and Innovation

Church & Wellesley - Yorkville - Annex

MarketLink is helping small Toronto and Canadian tech companies get into international markets

Joseph Wilson Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The MarketLink program, organized by the Canadian consulate in San Diego, has been enormously successful in partnering Canadian entrepreneurs with large technology companies in Southern California. This year, Sony met with three Canadian start-ups working on cleantech and smart-grid technologies in San Diego.

Research and Innovation, Sustainability