Ministerial Foreword
The Government of Canada is keeping Canada at the forefront of economic development by working to increase investment, enhance productivity and encourage the kind of game-changing innovation that will create good-paying and meaningful jobs for Canadians. We’re working to empower more of our best entrepreneurs and innovators to put their ideas to work here in Canada.
The Global Innovation Clusters are built on a collaborative model designed to foster innovation and jointly address challenges to grow strong Canadian ecosystems. By bringing together companies of all sizes, academic institutions and not-for-profits to generate bold new ideas, the clusters are strengthening their ecosystems while positioning Canada for global markets.
The clusters have helped build successful and growing innovation ecosystems across the Canadian economy in five areas where Canada has a competitive advantage: digital technologies, plant-based protein, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence for supply chain and logistics, and ocean-based industries.
The government has continued to invest in the clusters to fuel Canada’s innovation ecosystems, promote commercialization, support intellectual property creation and retention, and scale Canadian businesses, and it’s been working. As of March 2024, the clusters have announced more than 540 projects worth over $2.53 billion and involving 2,750 partners.
Because of their unique model and strong results, the Global Innovation Clusters were selected to help administer the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (PCAIS) and received $125 million under the PCAIS’s Commercialization pillar. To date, the clusters have announced 38 PCAIS projects that are worth over $146 million and involve more than 158 partners. The clusters are helping scale-up Canadian AI firms to help secure and strengthen Canada’s AI advantage.
The Advanced Manufacturing Cluster and the Digital Technology Cluster were also selected to help administer the National Quantum Strategy and have received $14 million as part of the commercialization pillar of the strategy.
Budget 2024 announced $50 million for a new Homebuilding Technology and Innovation Fund being led by Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Cluster (Next Generation Manufacturing Canada). This fund will support the scale-up, commercialization and adoption of innovative housing technologies and materials, including those for modular and prefabricated homes.
In addition, the clusters are helping to build a skilled and diverse workforce by creating opportunities for women, racialized Canadians, Indigenous communities and other under-represented groups, and they are offering workshops and formalized training to develop diverse talent and meet sectoral labour force needs.
Protein Industries Canada (PIC) is bringing together partners across Canada to transform and grow Canada’s agriculture and food production sector. Over this past year, PIC has led initiatives and funded a range of projects that have brought Canada to the forefront as a global source of high-quality plant protein and plant-based co-products. These initiatives and projects support the sector’s sustainability, create new opportunities for Canadian crops, expand plant-based food options, and strengthen supply chains.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to PIC and everyone involved for their tireless efforts to strengthen Canadian innovation ecosystems, build a diverse and future-ready workforce, and expand our presence both at home and abroad.
