Ontario announces Council of Experts on Innovation
TORONTO, June 27 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government has taken another step towards strengthening Ontario's innovative economy by announcing the appointees to the Ontario Research and Innovation Council.
The council will advise the government on the best way for building a
more creative, innovative and prosperous Ontario.
"Today, more than ever, our economic prosperity and quality of life
depend on our ability to compete and win in the global marketplace," said
Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty. "By driving innovation forward we not only help grow Ontario companies but provide high-value jobs that help build and sustain healthy, vibrant communities."
The McGuinty government is committed to creating a better quality of life for Ontario's families by investing in research and innovation, and by
creating more opportunities for jobs and investment.
In January 2006, Premier McGuinty appointed Dr. Adam Chowaniec, an Ontario-based leader in business excellence and innovation, as the chair of the council. Including Dr. Chowaniec, the council is made up of 13 experts from the business, academic, research and innovation communities.
"The members of the council bring a wealth of experience from a broad spectrum," said Dr. Chowaniec. "I look forward to working with them to develop bold solutions that will solidify Ontario's place as a leader in the highly competitive global economy. Our future prosperity depends on our ability to create an environment that supports and rewards innovation - so we can grow companies, encourage entrepreneurship and improve interaction between academia and industry."
The council will look at how and where innovation happens in the
province. It will advise the government on a strategy that keeps Ontario's
economy strong by capitalizing on our ability to transform creative,
cutting-edge ideas into long-lasting economic advantages. As part of its
mandate, the council will:
- Define what drives innovation
- Identify barriers to innovation
- Recommend strategies and actions that bring together partners -
across government, universities, colleges, hospitals, research
institutions and the private sector - to develop Ontario's innovation
agenda.
The Ministry of Research and Innovation was created in June 2005 to
ensure that Ontario is competing and winning in the marketplace of ideas. The creation of this ministry signals the importance the government places on strengthening Ontario as a leading, innovation-based economy and society. The ministry is investing nearly $1.7 billion over five years to strengthen and promote Ontario as an innovative economy.
"It is absolutely vital to the success of Ontario families that we nurture, support and reward innovation," said Premier McGuinty. "Individuals, businesses and organizations must have the tools they need to turn ideas into economic advantages. The result will be high-value jobs, greater wealth and a better quality of life for all of us."
