Canada's innovation and economic development ministers conclude successful meeting
News Release
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers agree to strengthen collaboration on innovation and economic development across the Canadian economy
June 13, 2016 – Ottawa
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers of innovation and economic development met today, for the first time in 12 years, to discuss how to grow the economy and create good-paying middle-class jobs in communities across Canada.
During today's meeting, Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, shared the federal government's approach in developing an inclusive Innovation Agenda. The focus is on creating more jobs for middle-class Canadians and addressing the challenges Canadian families face today. In addition, Minister Bains committed to ongoing engagement with his colleagues on the files that are important to Canadians, including innovation, clean technology and economic development.
All ministers shared their views on the important role that innovation plays in growing the economy and improving the lives of middle-class Canadians. The ministers agreed that governments must take urgent action to support innovation and economic development, while meeting their own needs and priorities.
The ministers expressed their continued commitment to work together to better identify clusters and networks in Canada that already are, or have the potential to be, hotbeds of innovation. They further committed to help create the jobs of tomorrow by supporting innovation more broadly throughout the economy.
The ministers were also provided with an update from the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Working Group on Clean Technology, Innovation and Jobs. The working group is one of four that Canada's First Ministers mandated in March 2016 to identify measures that governments can take to grow their economies and reduce emissions in the long term.
The ministers then heard from a panel of guest speakers from Indigenous businesses and economic development organizations. Indigenous participation in the economy is not only key to the success of the Canadian economy, it is also a factor in ensuring our communities are strong.
The ministers agreed to reconvene in the fall to continue their collaboration to prioritize actions to advance the clean technology, jobs and innovation agenda.
Quotes
"Today's meeting was part of the Government of Canada's commitment to re-engage with provincial and territorial governments. Only by working together can we produce a more innovative economy that will create jobs and restore prosperity to the middle class."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
"Provinces and territories recognize that economic growth and prosperity requires Canada's economy to be competitive. Strong productivity and innovation are key drivers to foster business growth and secure good jobs for Canadians. Through continued collaboration between our jurisdictions, we will make innovation and economic development a shared priority. There are a number of positive factors that contribute to a favourable climate for our further collaborative effort in innovation and economic diversification—including the tremendous potential for the expansion of clean tech, ocean technology and other advanced technologies. It is critical that we purposefully create opportunities for collaboration between our governments as a means to innovating, diversifying and growing our economies."
– The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Follow Minister Bains on social media.
Twitter: @MinisterISED
Contacts
Philip Proulx
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
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
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