Canada is building a nation of innovators

News release

Innovation programs and services are helping Canadians thrive in the new economy

March 5, 2019 – Vancouver, British Columbia

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.

Yesterday, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, delivered remarks on the Innovation and Skills Plan at events hosted by the Surrey Board of Trade and Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and participated in a roundtable discussion with the small business community.

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.

Minister Bains recently released Building a Nation of Innovators, a report that presents the Government’s progress in laying a solid foundation for Canada to remain competitive and for Canadians to succeed in the global economy. 

Quotes

“Our government is putting people first and making sure Canadians and Canadian businesses will benefit from the economic opportunities of today and tomorrow. Our Innovation and Skills Plan builds on Canada’s competitive advantages—a highly educated workforce, unrivalled access to global markets and a government that partners with business—to create good middle-class jobs for Canadians and position Canada as a global economic leader.”
– 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.

Related products

Associated links

Contacts

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

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
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Page details

Date modified: