Annual Report 2022-2023

Ministerial Foreword

FRANÇOIS PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

The Government of Canada is working to secure Canada’s economic growth and prosperity in a green, digital and resilient world economy. We are in a position to seize the moment and build on our solid innovation investments so that Canada succeeds in the new global economy.

The Global Innovation Clusters are accelerating Canada’s global competitive edge by bringing together companies of all sizes, academic institutions and not-for-profits to generate bold new ideas. These clusters have helped build successful and growing innovation ecosystems across the Canadian economy in five areas where Canada has an innovative advantage: plant-based protein alternatives, ocean-based industries, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence for supply chain and logistics.

The clusters are spurring innovation and collaboration across Canada by launching projects that are helping grow our economy and bringing tangible benefits to Canadians. Since the launch of the program in 2017, the clusters have been finding new ways to build connections, bringing together experts in their fields to create high-quality, well-paying jobs; invest in promising projects; help firms scale up; and position Canada as a global leader in the innovation space.

The Global Innovation Clusters are delivering tangible benefits to Canadians with their unique model, creating stronger ecosystems, de-risking the adoption of technology, maximizing the value of intellectual property and forging new partnerships that increase firms’ market potential. As of March 2023, the clusters announced more than 500 projects worth $2.37 billion and involving more than 2,500 partners.

They are on track to meet or exceed the overall job creation target of 15,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs by 2023 and 50,000 by 2028.

Because of these strong results, our government confirmed Canada’s commitment to the clusters in Budget 2022, investing an additional $750 million through to 2028 to support the further growth and development of Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters. Building on their success to date, the five clusters will expand their national presence and will continue to collaborate with partners to deepen their impact at home and abroad, including through joint missions aligned with key global priorities such as fighting climate change and addressing supply chain disruptions.

The clusters are also helping to build a skilled and diverse workforce by creating opportunities for women, racialized Canadians, Indigenous communities and other under-represented groups and by offering workshops and formalized training in response to the industry’s need for members of these groups to develop their talent, gain relevant knowledge or learn new skills.

Since the inception of the program, the clusters have developed a new approach to innovation through co-investment with industry to build accelerated, strong ecosystems that are taking innovators further, faster through collaboration. The clusters have exceeded expectations while delivering tangible results, both at home and globally.

Protein Industries Canada (PIC) in particular is positioning Canada to be a global leader in ingredient manufacturing. The plant-based food and ingredient sector has seen explosive growth over the past several years, and PIC has been leading projects that are resulting in ingredients which food processors are seeking out to incorporate into new plant-based food products, helping meet the growing global consumer demand.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved with the PIC cluster for your commitment to strengthening Canada’s innovation ecosystems and helping to establish a diverse and skilled workforce ready for the jobs of the future.