A new report on the health of Canadian innovation is due out from the Council of Canadian Academies in June 2009. An abridged version of the report has recently been released.

Here are some of its points:

1. Issues underlying strategic weaknesses in the Canadian economy include:
- Lack of involvement in goods and services that bring Canadian firms closer to end-users/customers. More exposure to downstream players would provide deeper insights into and impetus for innovative productivity.
- Canadian markets are "relatively small and fragmented", without sufficient need to take on the risks of innovation (such as global competition in local markets)
 
2. Actions to address these issues include:
- Building a robust "export orientation" for Canadian businesses focusing on goods and services closer to the end-user
- Supporting the transition of research to commercialization, with early financing support and mentoring opportunities
- Improving on the current government support for specific industry sectors (e.g. automotive and communications)

It is of interest that the report states "that there is nothing innate or inevitable in the national character that prevents" Canadian firms from achieving the success levels of other countries in the area of innovation.

Certainly food for thought. Stay tuned to http://www.scienceadvice.ca/innovation.html for the June 2009 release of the full report.

Regards,
Jeremy
_________________________
Jeremy Nickerson, BASc, MBA
Director, Helix Commerce
www.helixcommerce.com