Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage: Progress Report 2009

Message from the Minister of Industry

The Government of Canada's Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage, lays out a plan to develop three distinct Canadian advantages:

• an Entrepreneurial Advantage that encourages firms to be innovators;
• a Knowledge Advantage that puts Canadians at the international forefront of research and discovery; and
• a People Advantage that helps build the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce.

Today we are pleased to report on the significant progress that has been made in the past two years. To advance our S&T Strategy, we have introduced new federal programs and initiatives, including the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, and the Automotive Innovation Fund. And those are just a few examples of our most recent initiatives.

Our government believes that investments in science and technology are investments in Canada's future. Our ideas, innovation and inventiveness ensure our long-term economic competitiveness.

I know that this progress report demonstrates that belief and, as Minister of Industry, I will continue to follow our plan to improve our country through our S&T Strategy, and to promote entrepreneurial innovation and creativity in all fields.

The Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry