MRI'S STRATEGIC PLAN

MRI Strategic Plan Stakeholder Consultations
What we heard…

Earlier this year, our ministry consulted with stakeholders across the province on a strategic plan that will set the stage for a sustainable innovation agenda. The MRI Strategic Plan outlines the groundwork to ensuring our researchers, entrepreneurs and visionaries have the tools they need to transform creative ideas and discoveries into the products and services that will keep Ontario prosperous for years to come.

As part of our consultation process, we sought advice from researchers, industry, the private sector, academic institutions and other government organizations. Their comments and suggestions were essential in helping us improve the plan and move it from a ministry initiative to a government-wide innovation strategy.

Overall, the feedback we received reflected a comprehensive understanding of the importance of innovation and a desire to enhance its positive impact on Ontario.

The following are some examples of the comments and suggestions we received:

Successful innovation is market and customer-driven. The economic impacts of innovation result from the successful commerce of innovative products, processes and services.

Many Ontario communities are beginning to develop plans and partnerships based on existing strengths to achieve global competitiveness. Proposed areas of focused investment must take these into account and build on them.

Ontario government innovation strategies need to empower regions in the province to fully achieve their potential.

Ontario’s pool of science and business-educated talent needs to be further developed. Ontario should create incentives to encourage science graduates to engage in further business training.

Best practices and resources must be shared so that we can maximize the province-wide effort. Within the province we need to exchange people, expertise and programs to facilitate this networking, and sharing should be supported and promoted.

Government programs and their delivery need to have the speed and flexibility to respond to opportunities. They must be clear, understandable and carried out at the pace the market demands.

Ontario's business climate needs to support innovation. This includes a more innovation-friendly tax system and reduced regulatory burden on businesses.

In moving forward, we will continue to review, analyze and build on the advice received from our innovation partners to refine Ontario’s Innovation Strategy.

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