NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 13, 2009
HELPING LOCAL TALENT BUILD GLOBAL ENTERPRISES
McGuinty Government Receives Recommendations on Strengthening Ontario’s Commercialization Network
NEWS
A report from a group of industry, academia and finance leaders suggests Ontario is well-positioned to become a world-class jurisdiction for innovation in the years to come.
The report’s authors, who were asked by the province to formally review Ontario’s Commercialization Network, found that existing programs and organizations represent a strong platform on which to build a world-class innovation system. The report also includes recommendations to improve the province’s practices going forward, including:
- Adopting best practices, such as a more coordinated and client-focused approach across the entire Network
- Making it easier for entrepreneurs and innovative businesses to navigate Ontario programs and services dedicated to supporting innovation and commercialization
The McGuinty government initiated a review of the Ontario Commercialization Network to better align the network with Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, a nearly $3-billion commitment to help make innovation the driving force of the economy. The goal is to ensure that Ontario establishes the kind of program and policy environment needed to support our scientists and innovators in their efforts to turn world-class research and best-in-class technologies into Ontario’s future social and economic prosperity.
The province will be reviewing the report as it continues to implement Ontario’s Innovation Agenda. A decision will be made about how the government will act on the steering committee’s recommendations in the coming months.
QUOTES
“Innovation is all about people: talented people with good ideas that have the potential to seize global market opportunities. This review is about going from good to great, doing more and finding better ways to support these people. We want to make it easier for Ontario’s innovators to access the support they need to turn their good ideas into great jobs and a higher quality of life for us all.”
- John Wilkinson, Minister of Research and Innovation
QUICK FACTS
- The Ontario Commercialization Network is a collection of more than 20 organizations across the province dedicated to helping innovators develop their ideas and technologies, get business advice and grow their companies.
- In 2006-07, the Ontario Commercialization Network connected with nearly 3,000 researchers and 6,500 private sector innovators, and supported the creation of 76 new companies employing over 300 people.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about the Steering Committee.
Read the full Steering Committee Recommendations.
Learn more about the Ontario Commercialization Network Review.
Find out more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda.
See also:
