Markham, Ontario
4 December 2014
The success of Canada’s economy, the prosperity of its communities and the well-being of its families depends on advancing cutting edge science, technology and innovation in Canada.
In May 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper launched Canada’s Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy: Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage, and in doing so, outlined a comprehensive plan to make Canada a leader in S&T, research and innovation.
Since then, Canada has made significant progress in fostering entrepreneurs and new businesses. The federal government has provided more than $11 billion in new resources to support basic and applied research, talent development, research infrastructure, and innovative activities since 2006. Canada has also become a prime destination for top researchers and skilled workers from around the world. In fact, it ranks first among G-7 countries in spending on research and development in universities and colleges as a share of its gross domestic product.
Over the past seven years, however, the global landscape has changed, and a renewed strategy is required to provide a framework that more adequately reflects today’s economy and guides federal priorities to promote Canada’s strengths in research.
On December 4, 2014, the Government of Canada launched an updated strategy: Seizing Canada’s Moment: Moving Forward in Science, Technology and Innovation 2014 which builds on the foundation laid out in the 2007 framework, but goes further to ensure that Canada remains well positioned in the global arena for research excellence, talent and wealth.
The renewed strategy will leverage the expertise and resources of post-secondary institutions, industry and government to translate brilliant theories and ideas into applications that will improve the day-to-day lives of Canadians and generate economic growth and jobs across the country. It will be guided by four core principles: promoting world-leading excellence, focusing on targeted priorities, fostering partnerships and enhancing accountability.
More specifically, Seizing Canada’s Moment will focus on:
- People, by attracting and retaining the highly-qualified and skilled individuals, and top experts and leaders needed for Canada to thrive in the global knowledge economy. The strategy will also enhance opportunities for innovators and researchers whose ambitions and creativity generate discoveries that improve social and economic outcomes for Canadians.
- Knowledge, by strengthening support for excellence across discovery-driven and applied activities and by investing in research and infrastructure. The Government will also continue to support federal science-based institutions to perform research that delivers on regulatory, public policy and operational mandates such as public health, responsible resource development, environmental protection, transportation safety and public security. Work will also be undertaken to ensure that federally-funded research will be more accessible to the public and to end users.
- Innovation, by helping bring new ideas and knowledge to market in a variety of ways, including by stimulating more demand for innovation from firms of all sizes and encouraging more innovation-focused business strategies. The strategy will make it easier for businesses to work with partners, including government, in the innovation system and foster collaborations based on industrial-demand that encourage newly emerging as well as established industries to look for solutions from Canada’s research institutions. Efforts will be made to build on Digital Canada 150, the recently announced plan to guide Canada’s digital future. Firms will also be encouraged to protect their intellectual property and enhance Canada’s access to global markets.
For years Canadian researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs have expanded the boundaries of knowledge and experience building a proud, progressive and strong country. As Canada approaches the 150th anniversary of Confederation, our Government is proud to build on that remarkable foundation through new investments in science, technology and innovation that will be of immediate benefit to this generation and an invaluable inheritance for generations to come.
For more information, please consult: Seizing Canada's Moment: Moving Forward in Science, Technology and Innovation 2014.
