The Government of Canada is supporting Canadian companies that invest in research and development to bring new ideas to the marketplace, creating new jobs and strengthening the Canadian economy.
The government also recognizes both research and development require increasing business investment for Canada’s long-term competitiveness in the global economy.
Did you know that Canada ranks first among the G7 countries in terms of expenditures on research and development in the higher education sector as a share of the economy?
To encourage Canadian businesses to invest in research and development and to bring beneficial ideas into the marketplace, Prime Minister Harper:
- launched Canada’s Science and Technology Strategy in 2007,
- and provided an additional $2.2 billion in new funding for science and technology initiatives through the 2006, 2007 and 2008 budgets, and
- provided $6.3 billion in additional funding for research infrastructure, research, highly skilled people and commercialization during years one and two of Canada’s Economic Action Plan
Here are the six success stories of Canadian commercialization as results of Government of Canada – funded research and development projects.
(1) Ottawa, Ontario, News Release – February 28, 2011
EMS Technologies Canada
- received support from the Government of Canada through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI)
- EMS Technologies’ Aviation Division developed industry-standard satellite communications systems that are installed on commercial aircraft
- the equipment was developed in part using a SADI investment, and the system has been selected for five major airframe programs supplying many of the world’s large commercial aircraft
(2) Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, News Release – February 28, 2011
Phyterra Yeast Inc.
- received support from the Government of Canada through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC–IRAP), its Nutrisciences and Health Cluster in Charlottetown and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- Phyterra Yeast is developing and commercializing advanced biotechnology products to reduce naturally occurring ethyl carbamate, a byproduct of yeast, which is used to ferment many foods and beverages
- this product is found in many commonly consumed products such as wine and is classified by the World Health Organization as a probable carcinogen in humans
(3) Lévis, Quebec, News Release – February 28, 2011
Creaform Inc
- received support from the Government of Canada through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
- Creaform’s digital solutions provide high-quality innovative 3D technology, turnkey services and reliable support to enable seamless collaboration in 3D
- the equipment was developed, in part, as the result of an IRAP investment, and the system is used by businesses worldwide
(4) Burlington, Ontario, News Release – February 28, 2011
PatientCare Solutions
- received support from the Government of Canada through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC–IRAP)
- PatientCare Solutions provide mobile cardiac diagnostic testing that is transmitted securely though the BlackBerry smartphone
- m-Health Solutions, operating under the umbrella of PatientCare Solutions, developed a service that provides doctors with faster turnaround for cardiac diagnostic testing
- the equipment was developed in part using an NRC–IRAP investment
(5) Winnipeg, Manitoba, News Release – February 28, 2011
Carlson Engineered Composites Inc.
- received support from the Government of Canada through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program
- Carlson Engineered Composites Inc. developed a robot cell for trimming fibreglass parts using high-pressure water-jet cutting
- the equipment was developed, in part, as the result of an Industrial Research Assistance Program investment and is one of only several such robots used in North America for cutting composites
(6) Richmond, British Columbia, News Release, February 28, 2011
Applied Biological Materials Inc.
- received support from the Government of Canada through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program
- Applied Biological Materials Inc. has developed a microRNA (miRNA) expression and detection system where miRNA is known to regulate the genome, which is the basic foundation for human health and medical conditions
- the technology was developed, in part, as the result of an Industrial Research Assistance Program investment, and the system is used in life science research and biotechnology industries across Canada and the world
For more information on Canada’s science and technology strategy, please visit the Industry Canada website.