Industry leaders shaping Canada’s future economic growth

News Release

Leaders from six innovative sectors will guide federal efforts to create new business opportunities and jobs for Canadians

September 29, 2017 – Ottawa – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Six industry leaders are being tasked with guiding the Government of Canada’s efforts to ensure middle-class Canadians have access to well-paying jobs today and in the future. The six leaders will chair the Government’s Economic Strategy Tables, which represent high-growth industries identified in Budget 2017.

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, today announced the appointment of the next two Economic Strategy Table chairs:

  • Karimah Es Sabar, CEO of and partner in Quark Venture of Vancouver, British Columbia, who will chair the health/bio-sciences table; and
  • Audrey Mascarenhas, President and CEO of Questor Technology of Calgary, Alberta, who will chair the clean technology table.

The latest appointees join Charles Deguire, Co-founder of Kinova Robotics of Boisbriand, Quebec, who will chair the advanced manufacturing table; and Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients of Regina, Saskatchewan, who will chair the agri-food table.

Each chair will preside over a group of approximately 15 members as they guide federal efforts to create the conditions for long-term growth that lead to new business opportunities and middle-class jobs for Canadians.

There are technology disruptions in virtually every sector of the economy, and the Government is ensuring that Canadian businesses and people have the information and skills they need to benefit from all emerging technologies.

The Economic Strategy Table chairs were selected based on the advice of industry leaders and associations as well as federal government departments. The chairs, working with federal government departments, will choose the 15 members for their working tables. Industry chairs and table members represent a diverse group of experts from six high-growth sectors.

The Economic Strategy Tables will set ambitious growth targets for Canadian innovators, identify sector-specific challenges and create a roadmap to support Canada’s global success.

The remaining chairs of the digital industries and clean resources tables will be appointed and announced in the coming weeks.

The Economic Strategy Tables are part of the Government’s Innovation and Skills Plan to create well-paying jobs and strengthen the middle class by investing in high-growth sectors where Canada has a globally competitive advantage.

Quotes

“The sectors that drive innovation are where the middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow are created. Our government is committed to working with entrepreneurs and innovators to generate new business opportunities, create good middle-class jobs and equip Canadians with the skills they need for the jobs of the future. Our government looks forward to working with industry partners through the Economic Strategy Tables to turn high-growth Canadian companies into global successes.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“The sustainability of health care for the future is one of my top priorities. Finding patient-focused innovations is essential to improving access to care. I look forward to seeing Canadian-led innovations that will help fuel a health care revolution that will ensure Canadians in all parts of our nation have better access to care.”

–The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health

“Our government is making major investments in clean technology innovation and clean resources to strengthen competitiveness and environmental performance. The expert advice provided by these leaders and their Economic Strategy Tables will identify bottlenecks and barriers to innovation, helping to pave the way for natural resource sectors to be clean growth leaders, create well-paying jobs for Canadians and achieve our climate change goals.”

– The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources

“The environment and the economy go together, and we know that economies around the world are shifting toward cleaner growth. Our government’s commitment to supporting clean innovation will give Canadian entrepreneurs a competitive edge to grow, create jobs and be part of the solution to tackling climate change.”

– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

  • The Economic Strategy Tables will meet regularly starting in fall 2017.

  • Each table will present a report of its findings and recommendations by summer 2018.

  • These tables will support the Government’s goal of doubling the number of high-growth Canadian companies to 28,000 from 14,000 by 2025.

Associated Links

Contacts

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED

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
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

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