When small, medium-size and large companies, academic institutions and not-for-profit organizations come together to generate bold ideas, Canadians benefit from more well-paying jobs, groundbreaking research and a world-leading innovation economy.
This is what businesses and partners from Ontario will do as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, which was selected as part of the Government of Canada's $950-million Innovation Superclusters Initiative. This was the message delivered by the Honourable Karina Gould, minister of democratic institutions, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, minister of innovation, science and economic development, on a visit to the McMaster Innovation Park, in Hamilton.
The Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster will build up next-generation manufacturing capabilities, such as advanced robotics and 3D printing. Ultimately, the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster aims to position Canadian companies to lead industrial digitalization, maximizing competitiveness and participation in global markets. Worldwide, "Made in Canada" will symbolize excellence in innovative manufacturing.
In 2017, the Government of Canada challenged Canadian businesses of all sizes to collaborate with other innovation actors, including post-secondary and research institutions, to propose bold and ambitious strategies that would transform regional economies and develop job-creating superclusters of innovation, like Silicon Valley.
The Innovation Superclusters Initiative is a centrepiece of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to prepare Canada for the innovative jobs of today and tomorrow.
Quotes
"Canada is investing in five superclusters so that tomorrow we will be more than 50,000 jobs richer and benefit from an even stronger economy — an innovation economy. With the Superclusters Initiative, we bet on Canadians. We looked at what we did well across our great nation, and we asked industry, academia and NGOs how we could do it better. The response was impressive and the ideas were remarkable."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, minister of innovation, science and economic development
"The Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster will create new opportunities for all the companies involved, help create more than 13,500 new jobs in Ontario and across Canada, and add more than $13.5 billion to Canada's economy over 10 years. This is great news for Ontario's economy, for Canadian innovation and for our society.
– The Honourable Karina Gould, minister of democratic institutions
"The Innovation Superclusters Initiative created an important dialogue between industries, companies, and communities focused on building the next generation of manufacturing firms in Canada. These vital conversations have set the stage for new partnerships, customer relationships and investment opportunities that will shape the future of advanced manufacturing in Canada."
– Jayson Myers, CEO, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada
Quick facts
· The five Canadian superclusters are the Ocean Supercluster (based in Atlantic Canada), the SCALE.AI Supercluster(based in Quebec), the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster (based in Ontario), the Protein Industries Supercluster(based in the Prairies) and the Digital Technology Supercluster (based in British Columbia).
· Superclusters are dense areas of business activity where many of the middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow are created. They attract large and small companies that collaborate with universities, colleges and not-for-profit organizations to turn ideas into solutions that can be brought to market.
· Together the superclusters represent more than 450 businesses, 60 post-secondary institutions and 180 other participants in sectors covering 78 percent of Canada's economy.
· Having the strong representation of women and under-represented groups in these superclusters is a top priority. The superclusters will endeavour to increase the representation of women and under-represented groups in their activity and leadership, helping them succeed in skilled jobs in highly innovative industries.