Superclusters’ long-term economic impacts, benefits will only become evident over next few years

The Innovation Superclusters Initiative is a flagship co-investment with private industry in five sectors in which Canada has demonstrated significant competitive advantages: digital technologies, protein industries, next-generation manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and ocean science. These sectors represent the world-leading ecosystems of tomorrow, and will unleash Canadian innovation further and faster through public-private partnerships. The five superclusters […]
An innovative economy requires an innovative government

We’ve got to do more with less. I’m betting that every minister has uttered this phrase more than once during his or her mandate. The trouble is, if you really want to do more with less, you need to innovate. You must embrace change. You must be willing to throw out your current assumptions, procedures […]
Innovating and leading in the new normal

Disruption is a term that pops up in almost every discussion about innovation. Yet in Canada, organizations typically reward predictability and control over disruptive innovation. From LinkedIn posts to virtual seminars, the focus of the conversation tends to be on how we can ‘manage’ disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced disruption into our everyday existence. […]
Artificial intelligence will underpin Canadian innovation and global competitiveness

Data has been called the oil of the 21st century. And artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and tools are commonly described as the new refineries that will convert the data into value-added products, services and platforms. Globally, it is estimated that, by 2025, there will be over 450 exabytes of digital data generated every day—that’s equivalent […]
COVID-19 will accelerate automation, and we must embrace it

WATERLOO—Over the last decade, the rise of robotics and artificial intelligence has emerged as a critical topic of discussion. By some estimates, almost half of existing jobs could be automated within a generation. Not surprisingly, then, managing this future of work has become a primary concern among the public and policy-makers alike. In 2018, under its […]
Time for a more inclusive innovation economy

TORONTO—Canada performs below its innovation potential. We have exceptionally well-educated and creative people producing world-class research and a handful of innovative and growing firms making a mark on the world stage. Yet, innovation and commercialization across the economy more widely are lacklustre. Canadian firms continue to falter on business spending on research and development, technology […]
Putting genomics data to work for all Canadians

We are living in the age of big data—a time where organizations are inundated by massive volumes of complex information daily and must find ways to make sense of it. For businesses, figuring out how to parse the onslaught of data can lead to growth and innovation opportunities. For governments, the goal is ensuring citizens’ […]
Chief science adviser wants position to become ‘part of the fabric of our country’

Canada’s Chief Science Adviser Dr. Mona Nemer says the chief science adviser position should be a permanent fixture within the Canadian government, the strongest statement to date and in line with calls from the science community to enshrine the post in legislation. “We’ve had a very checkered history of science advisers in Canada. We’re a […]
Time to take out Canada’s innovation toolbox

The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to rethink business models, supply chains, and capacity to respond to disruption across every part of our lives. While we have largely found new ways to live and do business, economic recovery will require significantly more. This presents an opportunity to mobilize Canada’s underutilized innovation infrastructure. Since the 2015 […]
Cooperation between government, commercial telcos and non-profit providers can support connectivity and innovation in northern and Indigenous communities

EDMONTON—As people are increasingly working, studying, and accessing public services online, COVID-19 provides overwhelming evidence of the need for high-speed, affordable, adequate broadband as an essential service. It also provides opportunities to consider the ways that connectivity is developed and delivered in rural and remote regions—and, in doing do, allows us to explore innovative solutions […]