INNOVATION IN CANADA

Many important studies have documented Canada’s lagging record on innovation. These reports offer compelling evidence supporting the need to take action to address this problem. Without increased commitment to innovation, Canada will be unable to maintain its prosperity and global impact.

There is no single fix or magic bullet that will put Canada in the lead of the global race in science and innovation. What is needed is a concerted effort by all players in our science and innovation system to step up their game in terms of their own distinct roles, and in terms of the synergy and agility of their interactions.

Private-public sector partnerships generate the kind of innovation that leads to business growth, job creation and a stronger, more resilient economy. It is one of NSERC’s corporate priorities to play a greater role in facilitating such collaborations to accelerate innovation.

There is tremendous opportunity for the thousands of Canadian companies performing R&D to use NSERC as a bridge to access Canada’s wealth of R&D knowledge, people and facilities, and use the academic research system as a competitive edge.

Important links to reports on innovation in Canada:

• The Government of Canada’s S&T Strategy – Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage (2007)

• The Science and Technology Innovation Council (STIC) State of the Nation (2008)

• Competition Policy Review Panel report Compete to Win (2008)

• Council of Canadian Academies – The State of Science and Technology in Canada (2006)