Despite the continuing challenges of an economic recovery that will still take some time to get through, there are encouraging examples of how Ontario’s knowledge-driven economy is thriving despite it all. 

Some of you will recall that Com-Dev International Chief Operating Officer, Mike Pley, participated as a panelist at the 2009 Ontario Economic Summit last November.  As part of a discussion about attracting investment to Ontario, Mr. Pley outlined the upside of doing business here.   “It struck home to me that Ontario is a very good place to do business. As a manufacturer and exporter we are in a much better position to take advantage of opportunities.” 

It seems Com-Dev is still taking advantage of those opportunities.  Today the 2009 OBAA winner announced a new $1.2-million contract to supply satellite communications technology to a customer in the United States.  The “authorization to proceed” order is expected to lead to a full contract worth $8-million.

At the 2009 OES, Mr. Pley emphasized the critical importance of the Government of Ontario’s continued investment in education – specifically in addressing the province’s technical skills labour pool.  A need to stimulate collaboration between industry and universities was also cited.  On this front, the OES Secretariat is working closely with the Council of Ontario Universities and three local chambers of commerce to bring together business and university researchers this May and June.  These highly interactive sessions will serve as sounding boards for ideas on how to improve business-academia relationship building with a focus on research partnerships.  Is it easy to find the right partner?  Is ownership of intellectually property a show-stopper?  Is the time and expense of supporting such a relationship simply not worth it? The sessions will address all of these concerns.  We look forward to sharing more information as details are firmed up. 

The issue of human capital isn’t going away for Ontario and its competitor jurisdictions and it seems appropriate for this dialogue to continue at the 2010 OES.  In the meantime, let’s look at examples like Com-Dev where business-academia relationships are producing tremendous industry talent and real results.

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