OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/19/16 -- In a global economy that is increasingly complex and diversified, Canadian companies must be more innovative than ever. Investing in our people, developing new technologies and supporting the growth of innovative companies will help diversify Canada's economy, open access to new markets and create well-paying jobs for Canadians.
This is the message the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, delivered in a keynote address on Canada's Innovation Agenda to an audience of business leaders and policy-makers at the i2030 National Manufacturing Summit.
In his remarks, Minister Bains emphasized the need for both government and the private sector to make smart investments in three key areas:
-- People: Expand work-integrated learning programs, such as internships,
apprenticeships and continuous learning opportunities, for Canadians at
every stage of their careers-from new graduates up to the highest-
ranking executives.
-- Technology: Set big-horizon goals and create broad-based partnerships to
fund ambitious research projects that solve complex, large-scale
problems and spark commercial opportunities for the private sector.
-- Companies: Leverage the buying power of government, as the single-
largest purchaser of goods and services, to support the growth of
innovative companies that have the potential to be globally competitive.
Minister Bains applauded Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters-the organizer of the summit-for its submission for the Innovation Agenda which focused on accelerating innovation, increasing investments and helping manufacturers reduce their carbon footprint.
Minister Bains concluded by issuing a challenge to the manufacturing community to invest more on people, companies and technologies that will propel our country into a more prosperous future.
Quote
"Our government knows that Canada's manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of the economy and can lead the world, as long as we have the right plan for growth through innovation. New technologies are driving modern manufacturing by lowering production costs, increasing productivity and allowing for the creation of new innovative products. Through initiatives like Canada's Innovation Agenda, we can create and shape the markets that have the potential to unlock a world of opportunity for everyone and strengthen the middle class by creating the well-paying jobs of tomorrow."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Quick facts
-- The i2030 National Manufacturing Summit attracts more than 300
stakeholders interested in understanding the current global trends in
manufacturing and shaping the future direction of public policies,
regulations and programs in Canada.
-- The findings of a six-month nation-wide consultation on Industrie 2030-
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' national initiative aimed at
creating a roadmap for doubling value-added manufacturing output and
exports in Canada by 2030-were released prior to the summit and shared
with participants.
-- The manufacturing sector directly accounts for more than 10 percent of
Canada's GDP and employs 1.7 million Canadians.
-- Canadians participated enthusiastically during a summer of public
engagement on the federal government's Innovation Agenda: 28 round-table
discussions and thousands of digital interactions yielded over 1,300
ideas.
Associated links
-- i2030 Summit -- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters -- Canada's Innovation Agenda -- Backgrounder on the Innovation Agenda
Follow Minister Bains on social media.
Twitter: @MinisterISED
Contacts:
Philip Proulx
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science
and Economic Development
343-291-2500
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
