research and innovation : Featured Stories

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Group buying sites are popping up in Toronto faster than you can say "half-price sushi rolls." Here's how deal-hunting became a team sport.