Making the Maple Leaf a hallmark of excellence around the globe

Following the introduction of the Innovation Strategy, Industry minister Allan Rock spoke to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Toronto. An edited version of his remarks appears here: The plan is both comprehensive and concrete. It identifies specific areas of strength and weakness. It sets out targets to both focus our efforts and measure our results. In putting this strategy together, we were not starting from a blank page. A strong consensus has already emerged on what needs to happen to build a more innovative Canada. From leading business figures to national business associations to professional analysts, a similar prescription emerges. What’s needed now is leadership. Leadership to pull these ideas together, to put them high on the national agenda and get on with the job. The strategy I propose today takes the longer view: not just to the next budget cycle, not just the next few years, but to the end of the present decade, by which time we want Canada to be known throughout the world for its culture of excellence, its innovation, its productivity, so our standard of living will rise and our quality of life will be improved. Over the next few months, we will engage Canadians in a discussion of this strategy. We want to know if we’ve got it right. If our targets are aggressive enough. If our expectations of business, labour and academia are realistic — if you’re prepared to make the commitments we propose. By early fall, I want the process to culminate in a National Summit, where we put our strategy for the coming decade into final form and concrete action. e, in government, must work smarter ourselves. Government on line is just the beginning. We must be more innovative in everything we do, from developing electronic patient records to make health care more efficient, to using new technology for a smart border with the United States. We also have to get the broader landscape right. And that means a competitive tax system, the right incentives for large and small businesses, and strong economic policies to encourage Canadian entrepreneurs, while protecting the interests of Canadians.To make sure that Canadians have the best communities in the world, with the best quality of life, we need basic infrastructure like roads and transit systems; schools and parks. But government must also be ready to provide the infrastructure needed to support clusters that will accelerate growth and draw new investment.Canada has a growing number of internationally competitive clusters - financial services in Toronto, information and communications technology in Ottawa and aerospace in Montreal. And others are emerging across the country. To ensure that we continue to develop these vital growth centres, we have three specific targets: By 2010, we will develop at least 10 internationally competitive clusters. We will ensure that high-speed broadband access is available to Canadian communities from coast to coast to coast by 2005. And, we will find ways to draw out the unique strengths of communities across Canada to bring the benefits of innovation to each and every part of this country, rural and urban, over the next decade. If we can summon the imagination, the energy and the ingenuity of this generation of Canadians, we can make the maple leaf a hallmark of excellence around the globe.Canadians, in whatever field of endeavor or from whatever part of this country, must find their own path to its achievement. The plan we have presented today offers a blueprint that can take them there. And so I am asking each one of you to be part of this strategy. Talk about it within your companies and your communities. Innovation must be everyone’s business. Contribute your voice and your vision. And then help me make this a reality for our whole country. For the full transcript of Rock’s speech, visit www.ic.gc.ca. Send your comments about the Innovation Strategy to ppark@decima.ca.

Making the Maple Leaf a hallmark of excellence around the globe

News | 02/26/2002 5:00 am EST

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