As a key player in Canada’s innovation system, Western Canada has a number of strengths and challenges that are unique to the region. Those characteristics were the focus of intense debate last month during RE$EARCH MONEY’s first regional conference. brought together a powerful combination of business, academic and government leaders for a discussion of potential models to increase Western Canada’s success rate in bringing promising technologies and processes to the marketplace.
Like the rest of Canada, the track record to date is far from satisfactory. But Western Canada has the additional burden of distance from capital markets, few elected representatives from the governing Liberal party and some difficulty in attracting talent.
In spite of those shortcomings, the region has been successful in building or attracting major facilities and research projects, the latest of which is the Canadian Light Source.
Western Canada has a small population relative to Canada and competing jurisdictions, necessitating the need for a sharp business and technology focus, entrepreneurial spirit and policy modification to match the shifts in global innovation patterns.
From what emerged at the conference, there is a wealth of talent and a commitment to excellence that leaves the region in good stead. There’s also a clear willingness amongst all players to collaborate for the betterment of the whole. RE$EARCH MONEY was happy to help make it happen.
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