Innovation Canada: A Call to Action

Innovation Canada: A Call to ActionA commitment to measurable outcomes,increased effectiveness, heightened efficiencyand enhanced collaboration put into effectthrough a whole-of-government approach togovernance that includes:an improved performance managementsystem for federal business innovationprogramsan external Innovation AdvisoryCommittee that advises on key goals, onthe measurement and evaluation of policyand program effectiveness, and on newopportunities and approachesa common delivery platform for businessinnovation programs — the IndustrialResearch and Innovation Council — thatdelivers the Industrial Research AssistanceProgram and a new commercializationvouchers pilot program, provides a singlewindow“concierge” and web portal forbusiness innovation programs, develops afederal business innovation talent strategy,partners with the federal granting agencieson joint oversight of appropriate businessfacingprograms administered by thoseagencies, performs the technicalassessment of regional developmentagency innovation proposals, and overseesthe federal funding of large-scale sectoralcollaborative research institutes.A national constellation of world-classresearch institutes that are formed bystreamlining the institutes of the NationalResearch Council (NRC), through a five-yearplan, into one of four types of organization:industry-oriented, non-profit researchorganizations mandated to undertakecollaborative R&D and commercializationprojects and services, funded by amountsdrawn against existing NRC appropriationstogether with revenue earned fromcollaborative activitiesinstitutes engaged in basic research to beaffiliated with one or more universities andfunded by an amount drawn againstexisting NRC appropriations together withcontributions from university and/orprovincial partnersparts of non-profit organizationsmandated to manage what are currentlyNRC major science initiatives andpotentially other such researchinfrastructure in Canadainstitutes or units providing services insupport of a public policy mandate and tobe incorporated within the relevant federaldepartment or agency.The Way ForwardGoing forward, the Panel welcomes theopportunity to meet with government officials,business leaders and post-secondary institutionsto discuss our recommendations. Our end gameis ambitious, but so too is our vision — aCanadian business sector that stands shoulderto-shoulderwith the world’s innovation leaders.While this is a long-term goal, governmentaction must be swift and decisive, because theimpact of the initiatives begun today may takeyears, even decades, to be fully realized.The longest journey begins with the first step,so the time to act is now.9-2