Colleges Ontario is calling on the federal political parties to increase support for applied research. The advocacy group representing the province's 24 colleges of applied arts and technology says more funding will allow more small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage with colleges in pursuit of market-driven, applied research activities. College Ontario's members currently work with more than 750 companies annually. It argues that increased funding would result in more effective companies and job creation. More than 90% of Ontario businesses are SMEs....