Minister Bains launches cross-country tour in Halifax announcing superclusters shortlist
Shortlisted superclusters initiatives will energize regional economies and create jobs
HALIFAX, Oct. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is demonstrating its commitment to growing the economy and creating middle-class jobs for Canadians by moving forward with the Innovation Superclusters Initiative. The Initiative will leverage a federal investment of up to $950 million to generate public-private partnerships in innovative industries across the country.
Superclusters will energize regional economies and help build a skilled workforce, enhance Canada's global competitiveness and create thousands of well-paying jobs for this generation and the next.
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, launched a cross-country tour to announce the shortlisted applicants to the Superclusters Initiative.
At the Steele Ocean Sciences Building at Dalhousie University, Minister Bains announced the successful applicant from the Atlantic region.
The Ocean Supercluster would maximize the economic potential of Canada's ocean economy by investing in digital ocean technologies in aquaculture, capture fishery, offshore oil and gas, and clean energy.
Of more than 50 proposals, involving over 1,000 firms and 350 other participants, nine have been shortlisted and up to five will be selected as Canada's new superclusters.
The Innovation Superclusters Initiative is a centrepiece of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan, which is preparing Canada for a changing economy.
Quote
"I'm thrilled to kick off a cross-country tour in Halifax today to announce shortlisted applicants to the Superclusters Initiative. Superclusters are job-creating regions with strong economies, like Silicon Valley, and our government intends to create five of them in Canada. Through the Superclusters Initiative, we've started conversations and created solid partnerships between government, the private sector, academia and communities. In today's knowledge-based economy, this collaboration is essential. Together, we are building the economy of the future, creating the jobs of today and tomorrow and gearing up for global success that will benefit all Canadians.
"Today I announced the shortlisted applicant to the Innovation Superclusters Initiative for the Atlantic region. If selected as one of Canada's five superclusters, the Ocean Supercluster would energize Canada's ocean economy by investing in digital ocean technologies that will increase Canada's competitiveness and create middle-class jobs for this generation and the next."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Quick facts
- Minister Bains is announcing the shortlisted superclusters applicants during a cross-country tour that includes stops in Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. In addition, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, will be announcing the shortlisted supercluster for Saskatchewan in Regina on Minister Bains' behalf.
- Superclusters are dense areas of business activity where many of the middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow are created. They attract large and small companies that collaborate with universities, colleges or not-for-profit organizations to turn ideas into solutions that can be brought to market.
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Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED
SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
For further information: Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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