Canada is building a nation of innovators

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

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 20, 2019 /CNW/ - 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.

Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, presented to members of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal a report detailing how 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.

Introduced in Budget 2017, the Innovation and Skills Plan is building on Canada's strengths and addressing areas of weakness along the innovation continuum: from people and skills, through building innovation ecosystems, to exporting and scaling up globally competitive companies across all sectors of the economy.

The report presents the Government's progress in laying a solid foundation for Canada to remain competitive and for Canadians to succeed in the global economy.

Quote

"Our government's innovation agenda is putting people first, making sure Canadians and Canadian businesses will be the ones to benefit from the economic opportunities of today and tomorrow. Through our Innovation and Skills Plan, we are building on Canada's competitive advantages--the most highly educated workforce in the world, unrivaled access to global markets, and a government that partners with business--to create good middle-class jobs for Canadians and to position Canada at the forefront of the global economy."
- 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 product

    --  Building a Nation of Innovators

Associated links

    --  The Innovation and Skills Plan
    --  Innovation Canada

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada