Canada Launches National Innovation Strategy, $125M in Scholarships

During the 1970s, Canada routinely topped the U.S. in terms of real growth in gross domestic product per capita. As recently as 1990, Canada enjoyed the fourth highest standard of living in the world but slipped to seventh by 1999.



The two long-term initiatives launched in the last two weeks by the Canadian National Government — a National Innovation Strategy and the Trudeau Scholarships — and the $2.7 billion (CND) Fuel Cell research program created last year reflect the country's commitment to reversing these trends.



Canada's Innovation Strategy

Unveiled last week by Industry Minister Allan Rock and Human Resources Development Minister Jane Stewart, Canada's Innovation Strategy has two strategic thrusts that are expected to drive economic growth and social development in Canada over the next decade.



Federal expenditures on science and technology in 2001-02 are estimated at $7.4 billion, according to the Strategy. The report recognizes that a long-term national commitment and partnership is required to achieve make Canada's future economic potential in the global economy and performance even better and build a stronger, more inclusive society for all Canadians.



The specific economic and social goals of the Strategy are outlined in two separate papers.



"Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity" examines the role of innovation in the Canadian economy and proposes specific targets and federal priorities in four key areas:

• Knowledge performance — create knowledge and bring the ideas to market more quickly, as well as increase investment by all sectors in research and development.
• Skills — ensure Canada has enough highly qualified people with the skills for a knowledge-based economy;
• The innovation environment — modernize business and regulatory policies to support and recognize innovation excellence while protecting the quality of life; and
• Strengthening communities — support innovation at the local level so communities will continue to attract investment and opportunity.

"Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians" calls for a collaborative approach among all sectors of society to keep Canada economically strong and socially sound. The paper outlines a series of national goals and milestones for children and youth, post-secondary education, the adult labor force, and immigration:

• ensure children and youth get the best possible start in life;
• ensure all qualified Canadians have access to high-quality post-secondary education;
• ensure Canada's current and emerging workforce is more highly skilled and adaptable; and
• ensure Canada continues to attract highly skilled immigrants and help them achieve their full potential in Canadian society and the labor market.

"Canada must become more innovative if we are to continue to build on our economic and social foundation," said Minister Rock.



The Government of Canada has begun meeting with a wide range of partners and stakeholders to discuss the national goals and actions steps outlined in Canada's Innovation Strategy.



Minister Stewart will pursue a national dialogue with partners in the provincial and territorial governments, business, labor, academia, Aboriginal leaders, the voluntary sector and individual Canadians through ongoing federal/provincial fora, as well as at least five expert roundtables on the core areas of "Knowledge Matters," and approximately 10 best practice workshops over the course of the next year.



In addition, a series of regional and sectoral meetings will culminate in a National Summit this fall, where further ideas, opportunities and partnerships can be identified.



The Trudeau Scholarships

What may serve as one of the first steps to achieving these goals is a newly-created $125 million endowment to encourage young students to undertake advanced research in the humanities and the human sciences.



The fund will be administered by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, an independent, non-profit corporation, and will support up to 100 fellowships for doctoral and post-doctoral students in the humanities and the human sciences. The fund also will help establish a knowledge network to support these students, in part by funding mid-career achievement awards for eminent scholars and encouraging mentor relationships in the humanities.



Up to 25 fellowships of up to $50,000 will be awarded for doctoral and post-doctoral students each and every year, renewable for up to four years. A further five mid-career awards of up to $75,000, renewable for up to four years, will recognize eminent scholars at Canadian universities whose work in the humanities and human sciences is internationally recognized. Up to 15 mentors will be appointed in any one year to provide advice, counsel and reflection to the scholarship winners. Each mentor will receive up to $35,000. Appointments will be renewable for up to three years.



A minimum of 75 percent of all awards will be made to Canadian citizens.



To obtain a copy of either "Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians" or "Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity" or the Executive Summary of the strategy, visit http://www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca or call 1-800-622-6232.



More information on the Trudeau Scholarships is available on the Industry Canada website.



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