Innovation Canada: A Call to Action

ConclusionChapterConclusion9We are honoured to have been given theopportunity to undertake the Review of FederalSupport to Research and Development — aninitiative launched at a critical time that is anexus of global economic instability and rapidemergence of new powers. In this context ofopportunity and challenge, the countries mostlikely to succeed are those that understand thatbusiness innovation holds the key to rising livingstandards and to a more creative economy andsociety. In this regard, we are optimistic that ourrecommendations — implemented in tandemwith equally important enhancements tomarketplace frameworks — can play a centralrole in helping Canada to become one of theworld’s innovation leaders. We have no doubtthat this goal is attainable.That said, addressing a decades-long trend ofpoor innovation performance will not be easy.Concerted action will be needed in multiplearenas. Our recommendations — which affectonly a limited part of the wider innovationpicture — will also present challenges. Theirimplementation will require collaboration,cooperation and dialogue across several federaldepartments and agencies, as well as with theprovinces, the business sector and postsecondaryinstitutions. This process cannotsucceed without renewed focus and leadershipin government. That is why we haverecommended governance changes aimedat establishing business innovation as awhole-of-government priority.Below is an overview of what we see as the“end game” of our advice — a brief snapshotof our recommendations boiled down totheir essence.The End GameGuided by strong leadership and soundprinciples, and through concerted action, theend result of our recommendations will be:A rebalanced, more effective system offederal assistance for business innovation thathelps innovative firms grow and prosper withready access to:R&D and commercialization fundinghighly qualified and skilled personnelideas, knowledge and research capacitythrough collaboration with innovationpartnerscapital to grow from start-ups to worldcompetitive,large firmsprocurement opportunities that stimulatedemand for innovative goods, services andtechnologiesan improved Scientific Research andExperimental Development program that issimpler, more effective, more predictableand more accountable.9-1