Over the last several weeks, I’ve been exploring the links between Canada’s relatively low productivity among OECD nations, the dearth of large, domestic multinationals that are global leaders, the lack of support for Canadian firms that have grown past the startup stage, and the hyper focus on research and publishing within Canadian universities and the granting agencies that fund them.
These are all important links in the chain of circumstances that are weakening Canada’s economy and ultimately Canadians’ quality of life.

I believe that a shared cultural blindness lies at the root of these challenges. Embedded in Canadians’ collective psyche and Canadian institutions is a mistrust of business. This antipathy is based on a misunderstanding of commerce.

I had the pleasure of being interviewed at the Canadian Science Policy Conference last November, where I elaborated on this issue. Dr. Sripad Joshi, PhD, researcher, entrepreneur and co-founder of Suvidha Eco Solutions, conducted the interview, which was recorded and is available on the CSPC website.

During our conversation, I offered a diagnosis of problems in Canada’s innovation ecosystem and suggested a few ways to address them.

Stay informed on Canada's latest developments in science, technology, innovation, and policy by subscribing to our free newsletter, Innovation This Week. Visit our website at https://researchmoneyinc.com/home to learn more and sign up.

Join us for Part 2 of our conversation with Iain Stewart, former President of the National Research Council of Canada. In the final segment of our conversation, Iain tackles the challenges holding Canada back – from slow tech adoption to the impact of protected industries – and the priority actions we must take to build a stronger, more competitive ecosystem.

Stay informed on Canada's latest developments in science, technology, innovation, and policy by subscribing to our free newsletter, Innovation This Week. Visit our website at https://researchmoneyinc.com/home to learn more and sign up.

Join us for Part 1 of our conversation with Iain Stewart, former President of the National Research Council of Canada. With decades of leadership in government on science and innovation policy, Iain has played a key role in shaping Canada’s research and innovation ecosystem. In the first part of this two-segment podcast, he shares his journey, insights, and vision for the future of Canadian innovation.

Stay informed on Canada's latest developments in science, technology, innovation, and policy by subscribing to our free newsletter, Innovation This Week. Visit our website at https://researchmoneyinc.com/home to learn more and sign up.