Canada is building a nation of innovators
Feb 20, 2019, 11:30 ET
Innovation programs and services are helping Canadians thrive in the new economy
MONTRÉAL, Feb. 20, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada has a plan in place to build a new culture of innovation—one that will support Canadian ideas to find solutions to today's challenges, drive productivity and position Canada as an innovation leader in the world.
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, presented to members of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal a report detailing how the Innovation and Skills Plan is building a nation of innovators by equipping Canadians with the tools they need for future work, by making strategic investments that create jobs, and by helping Canadian businesses access the new markets and talent they need to grow into global successes.
Introduced in Budget 2017, the Innovation and Skills Plan is building on Canada's strengths and addressing areas of weakness along the innovation continuum: from people and skills, through building innovation ecosystems, to exporting and scaling up globally competitive companies across all sectors of the economy.
The report presents the Government's progress in laying a solid foundation for Canada to remain competitive and for Canadians to succeed in the global economy.
Quote
"Our government's innovation agenda is putting people first, making sure Canadians and Canadian businesses will be the ones to benefit from the economic opportunities of today and tomorrow. Through our Innovation and Skills Plan, we are building on Canada's competitive advantages—the most highly educated workforce in the world, unrivaled access to global markets, and a government that partners with business—to create good middle-class jobs for Canadians and to position Canada at the forefront of the global economy."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Quick facts
- The Innovation and Skills Plan is an integrated, whole-of-government approach to delivering innovation programs and services that support businesses at all stages of growth and help Canadians adapt to a rapidly evolving digital economy.
- The CanCode program is equipping Canadians to succeed in the digital economy. It has reached 1 million students, helping them learn the digital and coding skills they need for the jobs of the future.
- The Strategic Innovation Fund is leveraging a total investment of $8.1 billion to support innovation across all economic sectors in Canada.
- Canada's five business-led Innovation Superclusters are supporting large-scale industry partnerships in innovative sectors. They are expected to create 50,000 jobs and grow Canada's economy by $50 billion over the next 10 years.
- Connect to Innovate is bringing high-speed Internet to more than 900 rural and remote communities.
- The Innovation Canada digital platform simplifies access to programming through a single window that matches businesses with programs and services.
- The reports from the Economic Strategy Tables and the development of a comprehensive Digital and Data Strategy will be key contributors to the ongoing success of the Innovation and Skills Plan.
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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
For further information: Dani Keenan, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, 343-291-1710; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]