In Ontario however, D stands for determination

Kitchener - Yesterday John Milloy headed to Alberta for a Provincial-Territorial Meeting of ministers responsible for innovation where he is determined, on behalf of the province, to help advance a national innovation agenda.

Ontario has a distinguished history of smart people with big ideas who have changed the world. The Blackberry, IMAX, insulin, stem cells…these well-known inventions and discoveries are part of Ontario’s innovation history. Today, the province’s economic future is being built on that legacy with investments and economic policies that are aimed at accelerating research and innovation in Ontario.

Through Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, the Ontario government has committed $3.2B to support innovative people and companies that are turning new discoveries into new businesses, and new high-skilled jobs.

And it’s working.

· Ontario recently invested $10 million in Personalized Stem Cell Medicine, a project led by Dr. Janet Rossant of the University of Toronto and SickKids hospital. Dr. Rossant’s team of 30 world-renowned stem cell researchers will work together on advancing new, improved health care products. The project will support the training and employment of 400 highly qualified research staff over the next five years, right here in Ontario.

· Ontario is committing up to $9.3 million to support a $44-million initiative called Coral CEA. Coral CEA will support Ontario companies that want to compete for part of the growing demand for Communication Enabled Applications (CEAs) -- a global market that is expected to exceed $2.75 billion by 2010.

· Two weeks ago Ontario invested $26 million in The Communitech Hub: Digital Media & Mobile Accelerator, a new centre that will help emerging digital media companies grow and succeed in the global market. In particular, The Hub will look beyond the entertainment sector to focus on companies creating hardware and software for industries, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare and finance. Based in Waterloo Region, The Hub expects thousands of jobs could be created over the first five years by serving entrepreneurs across the province.

· And right now, Cameron Piron, CEO of Sentinelle Medical is busy turning his 2008 Premier’s Innovation Award into plans for a new medical device research-development-marketing and sales company in Thunder Bay -- and new high-paying jobs in two cities. While they’re at it, Sentinelle is also helping to establish Ontario as a world leader in diagnostic imaging research and development.

Ontario understands that these types of successes don’t just happen. Industry, academia, venture capital and all levels of government have a role to play in fostering innovation. And although Ontario is ahead of the game, Ontario is not an island. When it comes to science and innovation policy, Ontario’s success is linked to the success of Canada as a whole.

That’s why, in 2008 Ontario took the initiative to get the ball rolling on F/P/T meetings of Ministers responsible for Innovation...

Because if Ontario, and Canada, wants to grow its competitive edge and see the companies of tomorrow built here, we must have a national vision and adopt a national approach.