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Innovation, Technology, and Commercialization

Canada produces excellent research but too often allows commercialization to happen elsewhere. The gap between scientific output and real-world application shows up in weak business research and development (R&D) spending and thin technology adoption relative to Canada’s research strength. Closing that gap means redesigning the incentives, not just funding more research.

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Innovation Recommendations Summary

Recommendation Area of Reform Government Level Source Document
1 Cut the SR&ED small-firm credit rate from 35 to 25 percent and raise the large-firm rate from 15 to 20 percent Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit (SR&ED) Reform
Federal
An Economic Strategy for Canada’s Next Government
2 Eliminate overlapping subsidies and redirect programs like the Industrial Research Assistance Program toward commercialization Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit (SR&ED) Reform
Federal
An Economic Strategy for Canada’s Next Government
3 Better coordinate innovation support programs Coordinate government innovation support
FederalProvincialMunicipal
Unleashing Innovation: Barriers, Government Support Programs, and What Works Best
4 Better leverage public procurement as a source of funding for innovative firms Coordinate government innovation support
FederalProvincialMunicipal
Unleashing Innovation: Barriers, Government Support Programs, and What Works Best
5 Fund more matchmaking services connecting industry and AI academics Build the AI economy
Federal
AI Is Not Rocket Science: Ideas for Achieving Liftoff in Canadian AI Adoption
6 Expand university AI training beyond computer science to cover general literacy, executive education, and on-the-job training Build the AI economy
FederalProvincial
AI Is Not Rocket Science: Ideas for Achieving Liftoff in Canadian AI Adoption
7 Streamline data centre approvals and invest in AI infrastructure access Build the AI economy
FederalProvincialMunicipal
From Hype to Output: How AI Investment Translates to Real Productivity Gains
8 Launch Ottawa’s already-funded TechStat program to track AI adoption Build the AI economy
Federal
From Hype to Output: How AI Investment Translates to Real Productivity Gains
9 Fund research based on academic excellence, not only commercial payoff Turn university research into companies
Federal
From Curiosity to Wealth Creation: How University Research Can Boost Economic Growth
10 Open technology transfer offices to competition Turn university research into companies
Provincial
From Curiosity to Wealth Creation: How University Research Can Boost Economic Growth
11 Change the federal government’s research institutes (the National Research Council) so they focus more on connecting universities with businesses instead of conducting their own research Turn university research into companies
Federal
From Curiosity to Wealth Creation: How University Research Can Boost Economic Growth
12 Require open access for publicly funded research Turn university research into companies
Federal
From Curiosity to Wealth Creation: How University Research Can Boost Economic Growth
13 Adopt a standard national protocol, modelled on the UK, for university-industry commercialization partnerships Turn university research into companies
Federal
From Curiosity to Wealth Creation: How University Research Can Boost Economic Growth
14 Provide financing and insurance for factory-built housing construction Improve innovation in housing
Federal
Building Smarter, Faster: Technology and Policy Solutions for Canada’s Housing Crisis
15 Harmonize transportation rules for factory-built homes across provinces Improve innovation in housing
FederalProvincial
Building Smarter, Faster: Technology and Policy Solutions for Canada’s Housing Crisis
16 Set a clear regulatory path for the Real-Time Rail payment system Open the system to new payment providers
Federal
The Need for Speed: The Benefits of Faster Payments and How to Achieve Them

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