Innovation Canada: A Call to Action

Vision and PrinciplesChapterVision and Principles4The preceding chapters provide backgroundinformation on business innovation andpresent an overview of the federal programsat the core of this review. With the contextthus established, the remainder of this reportfocusses on the Panel’s advice to theGovernment of Canada.This advice is shaped by the Panel’s ultimatevision of a Canadian business sector that standsshoulder-to-shoulder with the world’sinnovation leaders. To turn this vision intoreality, the Panel believes that Canada mustfocus its efforts on growing innovative firms intolarger enterprises, rooted in Canada but facingoutward to the world. This goal is key forCanada’s companies to compete with the best.Consequently, it is a primary considerationunderpinning the Panel’s recommendations.Achieving the Panel’s vision requires publicpolicy action on a number of fronts, includingongoing efforts to refine and enhancemarketplace policy and regulatory frameworksthat influence the climate for private sectorcompetition and investment. The Paneltherefore emphasizes that the impact of itsadvice depends ultimately on complementaryefforts to strengthen those policies — especiallyas they relate to encouraging the competitiveintensity that is a central motivator ofinnovation.Guiding PrinciplesThe subsequent chapters set out the Panel’sadvice to improve the impact of federalprogramming in support of business innovation.This advice reflects a set of broad principles —essentially a philosophy of program design topromote business innovation — that the Panelhas developed as a result of its consultations,research and internal dialogue. These guidingprinciples are as follows.Transformative ProgramsFederal programs to foster business innovationplay an important role in the government’sstrategy to boost Canada’s lagging productivitygrowth. These programs should focus resourceswhere market forces are unlikely to operateeffectively or efficiently and, in that context,should address the full range of businessinnovation activities, including research,development, commercialization andcollaboration with other key actors in theinnovation ecosystem — provinces, postsecondaryeducation institutions, civil societyorganizations and the relevant investorcommunities. The design and delivery offederal business innovation programs mustalways strive to result in research activity andcommercialization outcomes that meet thehighest global standards.4-1