George Ross 

Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation

George Ross, a veteran of the Ontario Public Service (OPS), was appointed Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation in January 2008.

Previously, Mr. Ross held the dual position of Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Operating Officer of the Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI), where he was instrumental in advancing the ministry's innovation agenda.  In a short period of time, he was responsible for leading major government investments crucial to enhancing Ontario's knowledge economy, including a $150 million Biopharmaceutical Investment Fund and a new $165 million Ontario Venture Capital Fund which is 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.

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 wise stewardship and sustainable use of Ontario's natural resources and 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.