| Supporting Innovation And Creating Jobs In Waterloo Region "In 1957 when I was born two thirds of Canadians made things for a living. We were an industrial manufacturing economy, and wealth was generated by production..." - Glen Murray, Minister of Research and Innovation MORE |
Speech
Remarks by
Tony Wong, Parliamentary Assistant MRI
At the Symposium on Ontario's Generic Pharmaceutical Industry
February 28, 2006 -- CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
First, I would like to thank the Public Policy Forum for inviting me to this important symposium on Ontario's generic pharmaceutical industry.
I am pleased to be here representing Premier Dalton McGuinty, who, as you know is also the Minster of Research and Innovation.
I am pleased as well that the Ontario government is one of the event sponsors.
At the Ministry of Research and Innovation, we are committed to championing a culture of innovation for Ontario. We believe that unlocking the creative potential of Ontarians is vital to compete and win in the global economy.
Our government has a plan to strengthen our economy by ensuring Ontario is competing and winning in the marketplace of ideas.
It is imperative that business, industry and academia work collaboratively in this enterprise.
We see it as one of our most important priorities. It contributes to the skills of our people, the health of our people, and the prosperity of our people.
We know that for our people to succeed, Ontarians need to keep innovating and thinking creatively. So the government is committing $1.8 billion to research and development.
We are in the process of finalizing the membership of the Ontario Research and Innovation Council.
The council will provide advice to the Premier and will work with the Ministry of Research and Innovation to develop a framework for an innovation culture in our province.
We understand that the countries and jurisdictions that invest in innovations ... that tap the creativity of our people and market their ideas most effectively ... will be home to the most rewarding jobs, the strongest economies ... and to the best quality of life.
Whether we working to ensure that the next generation of young researchers have the needed education and skills ...
...or whether we are forging better partnership between government, the research community, academia and the private sector ...
... or whether we are exploring new markets from India to China ....we are focused on building a culture of innovation.
The Premier has said that in Ontario he wants innovation to be inevitable...
Standing here at the MaRS Centre — which is a monument to collaboration among research and innovation partners — it's apparent that that culture of innovation is inevitable.
And while it's important to bring our creativity and brainpower to the 21st century global marketplace.... we need to cultivate an investment and trade climate that supports innovation.
This afternoon, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Joe Cordiano will give his overview of Ontario's investment and trade strategy.
He is just back from a trade mission in India and I am sure he will have many
insights to share with you about our important relationship with this fast-growing economic force.
Best wishes for an enjoyable and informative conference.
Thank you.
