Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 19, 2012—Innovation is the key to creating jobs, economic growth and prosperity. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, delivered this message today during his address to the Greater Halifax Partnership.
"Innovation is about taking ideas to market and solving problems," said Minister of State Goodyear. "The ideas are out there, and we are working to connect them with the market."
Support for science and technology (S&T) has been a priority of the Government of Canada since 2006, including the introduction of its S&T strategy in 2007. Federal S&T expenditures reached nearly $11.9 billion in 2010–11.
In his speech, Minister of State Goodyear outlined the government's achievements in delivering the S&T strategy, which is aimed at attracting and retaining the world's brightest researchers, increasing investment in research and development (R&D), and commercializing promising research.
Minister of State Goodyear also noted that the government would take action shortly on the recommendations of the independent expert panel that it mandated to review federal support for business R&D. The panel, led by Tom Jenkins of OpenText, submitted its report to the government last October.
"We agree with the general direction of the Jenkins report, and we will be taking action to address the challenges it outlines," said Minister of State Goodyear. "We are committed to turning ideas into new marketable, competitive products that result in jobs, growth and prosperity."
The government is assessing the panel's recommendations within the broader context of its economic agenda and other priorities and is preparing to act on certain elements of the panel's advice.
To learn more about the Government of Canada's science and technology initiatives, visit the Science and Technology for Canadians website.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Stephanie Thomas
Special Assistant (Communications)
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-960-7728
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
