Innovation Canada: A Call to Action

Program EffectivenessBox 5.1 Operating Principles of the Proposed IndustrialResearch and Innovation Council1. Be mandated to stimulate Canadian economic growth and to foster a culture ofinnovation by encouraging and supporting business innovation in Canada through anoptimal mix of programs.2. Provide a single point of contact for Canadian businesses seeking to undertakeR&D/innovation activities, and guide business “clients” to the program and serviceproviders that best meet the timelines and supports that the industry client needs. Thiswill reduce the confusion of multiple points of entry.3. Be industry sector agnostic and emphasize that innovation occurs in all sectors of theeconomy, in urban and rural areas, and within micro, small, medium and largeCanadian companies, and that innovation can be enabled by talent from a range ofservice providers.4. Work collaboratively with businesses, the federal and provincial governments as wellas the Canadian research community to design new programs and remove existingbarriers and impediments in order to improve Canada’s commercialization outputs,competitiveness and productivity. Encourage, as appropriate, cross-sector,cross-platform, cross-disciplinary collaboration.5. Use common definitions, a common program/project application form, and offer clearand consistent advice to Canadian business from coast to coast.6. Enable and encourage novel program design and delivery. Where appropriate, solicitoutside program delivery agents through a competitive process designed to maximizeprogram outcomes. In such cases, IRIC must ensure clear lines of accountability withthese delivery agents, allowing them to compete and avoiding any conflict of interestin which IRIC competes with delivery agents for program funding.7. Require that businesses put “skin in the game” for programs/projects commensuratewith the level of return to the partner. Generally, as projects are further downstreamtoward the market in the innovation chain, businesses must be required to increase theproportion of their own investment.8. Maintain an uncompromising focus on quality. Where appropriate, peer review shouldbe used to determine research funding to ensure that the right problem and audienceare being targeted with the right methodology.9. Respect stakeholder timelines and commitments. For example, peer review processesmust be designed to ensure against protracted delays in either starting projects orreleasing business contributions.10. Track, measure and report to the proposed Innovation Advisory Committee (IAC,described in Chapter 8) and the public on outcomes and indicators for all businessfacingR&D programs offered by the Government of Canada. Where needed, developnew metrics, approved by the IAC, and keep a scorecard of performance. Create linesof accountability to the IAC for program outcomes and delivery.5-11