Canada can be proud of its talent pool, its rising number of university graduates and science post-graduates. In comparison to other OECD countries, Canada fares rather well in the areas of education, university-funded R&D, competition and peer review. Where we are not delivering is in transferring the knowledge from our talent pool to the marketplace.

The State of the Nation 2010 report, issued by Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council states “research and development performed by business in Canada is low by international standards.” This is reason for serious concern.

It was with great interest that we, at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), read Paul Davidson’s article “We need a culture of innovation: Build links between business and academe” (July 5, 2011). The article highlighted the findings of this report and rightly emphasized the need for Canada to foster a culture of innovation by building stronger links between the private sector and academic institutions.

In an age where innovation is essential to remaining globally competitive, Canada and its provinces cannot afford to lag behind.

For the last eight years, the Ontario Economic Summit (OES), an initiative of the OCC, has been bringing economic leaders from business, government, academia, labour and non-profit communities together, to address some of the most pressing concerns affecting Ontario’s economic prosperity.

In recent years, leaders participating at the OES have pointed to the need for a dialogue about how business-academia collaborations might be enhanced to help build a robust innovation climate. In response, the OES and the Council of Ontario Universities partnered to develop the “Connect to Innovate” (CTI) initiative in 2010.

These workshops, facilitated by local chambers of commerce and boards of trade, were held in Sudbury, London, Vaughan and Windsor. They featured senior administrators from each University with one of their research partners from the business community – exactly what Paul Davidson’s article said was needed for this country to remain globally competitive.

Clearly, one of the most significant challenges we face is an inadequate innovation culture, as noted in Paul Davidson’s article. OES “Connect to Innovate” set us moving in the right direction.

The discussions held were open and honest and demonstrated a sincere desire from all to foster closer relationships with a view to a more innovative economic climate. Most importantly, they provided insight which could lead to additional solutions as we move forward with Ontario – and Canada’s – innovation agenda. A full report of our findings can be found at www.occ-oes.com/connect-to-innovate <http://www.occ-oes.com/connect-to-innovate>.

We found that academic institutions and businesses across the province were shifting their mindsets and opening themselves up to new collaborations or building on existing ones in more innovative ways. They recognized the strategic importance of being innovative in the way we work together, to advance our standing on the international stage.

We thank Paul Davidson for showcasing the importance of innovation in our economy – and society. We are pleased to be part of the solution as we host additional workshops in other communities across Ontario throughout 2011 and 2012. This unique program will be extended to include Ontario’s Colleges and we will review our progress at the next Ontario Economic Summit, taking place November 21-23, 2011 in Toronto.

The Ontario Economic Summit (OES) celebrates the recent announcements made by its long-time supporter, Vale.  The company recently announced the start of its CORe (challenging ore Recovery) project at the Clarabelle Mill. This project is a $200 million investment that will increase metal recoveries at the mill by four per cent, increasing the value extracted from existing resources.

The CORe project includes the construction of a new 38,000-square foot flotation plant containing a new flotation system using state-of-the-art technology. The project also involves technology improvements to existing mill infrastructure and an equipment laydown yard to accommodate the anticipated workforce.

The CORe project is expected to create 150-200 skilled trade jobs during peak construction. Construction is scheduled to be complete July 2013.

Vale has also announced its major contract awards for the Long Harbour Processing Plant. A two-year $600-million contract was awarded to KBAC Constructors, a Kiewit – BMA – G.J. Cahill Partnership to provide mechanical, piping,, electrical and instrumentation services for the construction of the Long Harbour Processing Plant in Newfoundland and Labrador. The project is scheduled for completion in February 2013 and will have a permanent workforce of 475.

Innovative and successful companies like Vale will be available for networking and information sharing at the OES. Register today.

On February 28, 2011, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce along with its Québec counterpart, the Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec, staged the very first Ontario-Québec Economic Forum.

Hosted by Hon. Sandra Pupatello, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Clément Gignac, Québec’s Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Exports, the initiative brought together 150 leaders from both provinces, representing the business, academia and not-for-profit sectors.

During the course of the day, participants tackled some tough issues, including:

1. The Ontario-Québec productivity gap
2. How to encourage businesses to better leverage new technologies
3. How to foster more effective cooperation to enhance innovation
4. Investing in talent through education and profound changes to corporate culture

You can now access streamed videos and photos from the event.

Ministers Pupatello and Gignac Take Questions from CBC's Amanda Lang at the Ontario-Québec Economic Forum on February 28, 2011

A Starting Point for Follow Up Action…

 Post-Forum, the time for action and engagement remains. The Ontario-Québec Trade and Cooperation Agreement Private Sector Advisory Committee (PSAC), co-chaired by Heather Munroe-Blum (Principal and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University) and Mark Lievonen (President, Sanofi Pasteur Limited) is leading the way. Their recent call for action to all Forum participants includes a request to identify specific barriers to interprovincial trade, investment or labour mobility and to put forward some suggestions to remove such barriers.

This information should assist both governments in finding ways to further streamline processes, remove barriers to trade and provide businesses in both provinces with the best chance to sustain themselves, grow, attract further investments and create a true climate of collaboration.

Rudy van Zijp, General Secretary of Actal, a Dutch Advisory Board of Administrative Burden, opened Tuesday’s Smart Regulation presentation with a bold statement: “We all suffer from heavy regulation.” Van Zijp continued by sharing with delegates the European Union Action Program Timeline. His expertise surrounding regulation issues provided an excellent introduction to the panel discussion.

The Smarter Regulation panel discussion centered on “Smart” and “Dumb” regulations and the importance of determining what does and does not work. Also discussed was the necessity for the business community to get involved with all levels of government to ensure a better regulatory process. The Honourable John Wilkinson, Minister of the Environment, made the connection between innovation and regulation, and suggested that “we need to think about how to make regulation smarter, how to innovate.”

Ray Tanguay, Chairman of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., concluded the afternoon session by highlighting some of the key themes that had emerged out of the day and also recognized the significance of communication when he discussed the importance of building relationships between academia, government and business.

Paul Lucas, President and CEO of GlaxoSmithKline Inc., spoke about one of the main themes of this year’s Ontario Economic Summit (OES) – innovation. Lucas believes that “innovation is a do or die issue for Ontario.”

In Canada, the act of innovation is failing. “If businesses do not act quickly Canada’s standard of living and competitiveness are at risk,” Lucas says. Over the past decade, Canada has only risen 0.7% in innovation and productivity. This is only half the pace Canada attained in the last two decades. As a result of this decline in innovation, Lucas and the Coalition for Action on Innovation in Canada imposed the Action Plan of Prosperity.

“Canada must become a nation of innovators,” Lucas advises with concern of the coming demographic challenge.  Changing demographics (aging population and shrinking workforce) will require Canadians to earn more money for their work. With the decrease in employed Canadians and taxpayers, employers will find it difficult to bring in proficient employees.

The emphasis on the responsibility for innovation lies within the private sector of Canada. Lucas and guest panelists believe that businesses, academia and the government must work together to execute successful innovations in Canada’s economy. “Public sector funding alone is not in the cards for the future,” Lucas predicts, “the government needs to instill the right policy framework, while the private sector is under pressure to increase innovation.”

Dr. Rafi Hofstein, President and CEO of MaRS Innovation, referenced local initiatives for innovation, stating, “Local governments have to help us establish the right ambiance. Every region has unique features that need to be nurtured.” At all levels of Canadian government and businesses, innovation is a necessity in today’s economy.

Written by: Katie Laviolette and Stephanie Porter