Government of Canada promotes innovation for economic growth and jobs in Alberta

News Release

Shortlisted superclusters initiatives will energize regional economies and create jobs

October 12, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta

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, continued his cross-country tour to announce the shortlisted applicants to the Superclusters Initiative.

At the Enerplus Centre for Innovation, Minister Bains announced the successful applicants in Alberta.

The Smart Agri-food Supercluster would add informatics, connectivity and traceability in the crop, livestock and agri-food processing sectors to make Canada the preferred global supplier of sustainable, high-quality, safe food.

The Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure (SSRI) Supercluster would revolutionize the design, construction and operations of infrastructure and make Canada a world leader in the use of advanced digital communications, cutting-edge tools, and interconnected applications and services.

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.

Quotes

“Our government’s Innovation Superclusters Initiative has 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.”
– 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, announced 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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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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