George Ross 

Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation

A veteran of the Ontario Public Service (OPS), 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 the task force on the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy and the review of the Ontario 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 Fund and the $205-million Ontario Venture Capital Fund aimed at investing in Ontario’s strong, innovative companies. 

Mr. Ross has a wide range of executive experience, including extensive work with stakeholders, policy and program development, and government operations.  He chairs the Pharmaceutical Innovation Working Group, an information sharing committee that meets regularly and works to align Ontario’s healthcare and economic development objectives. He is also an active member on various boards and external committees including the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, Ontario Genomics Institute, Ontario Innovation Trust, Toronto Region Research Alliance, and Ontario Institute for Cancer Research.

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 3,082 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.

Mr. Ross was a long time resident of Peterborough and now lives in Markham with his wife and three children.