George Ross
Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation
George Ross was appointed Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation in January 2008.
As Deputy Minister, Mr. Ross has been instrumental in developing and advancing Ontario’s Innovation Agenda. He has managed key initiatives to advance Ontario’s position as a leading innovation jurisdiction, including establishing the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy and completing the review of Ontario’s Commercialization Network. Mr. Ross has also been responsible for leading major government investments crucial to enhancing Ontario’s knowledge economy, including the $150-million Biopharmaceutical Investment Program, the $205-million Ontario Venture Capital Fund, and the $250-million Ontario Emerging Technologies Fund aimed at investing in Ontario’s strong, innovative companies. Mr. Ross also oversees the government’s flagship research funding program, the Ontario Research Fund, including its new $100-million Global Leadership Round in Genomics and Life Sciences (GL2) and the $50-million Innovation Demonstration Fund aimed at building strength in Ontario’s clean technology sector.
Mr. Ross has a wide range of executive experience, including extensive work with stakeholders, policy and program development, and government operations. He is an active member on various boards and external committees including the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, Ontario Genomics Institute, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Toronto Region Research Alliance, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Mr. Ross also Chairs the Pharmaceutical Innovation Working Group, the Ontario Capital Growth Corporation, and Co-chairs the Centre for the Advancement of Health Innovation, and the newly established Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooporation with the People’s Republic of China.
Previously, Mr. Ross held the dual position of Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Operating Officer of the Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI). Before joining MRI, Mr. Ross was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Field Services at the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). In this capacity, he led one of the largest operational divisions in the OPS with offices in over 55 locations and over 3,000 staff across the province. Working with environmental and industry stakeholders and First Nations, Mr. Ross led MNR's support for key Ontario government initiatives promoting the stewardship and sustainable use of Ontario's natural resources and the development of Ontario's northern and rural communities.
Mr. Ross holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and certificates in Business Administration and Human Resources Management from Ryerson and Queen's University. He is also a graduate of the advanced program in Human Resources Management at the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto.
A long time resident of Peterborough, Ontario, Mr. Ross now lives in Markham with his wife and three children.
