By Leah Geller

Innovation is one of the most important drivers of economic growth.

Companies that innovate enhance their competitiveness. Communities and countries with strong cultures of innovation see improvements in productivity and job creation, resulting in more resources for education, healthcare and the environment. Yet, despite Canada's highly educated workforce and strong research capability, it struggles to turn these advantages into prosperity and social impact. In fact, according to the Conference Board of Canada, we rank a disappointing 15th among 20 peer countries in innovation.

Fortunately, Canada's colleges, universities and government agencies are working to change this - leveraging partnerships, breaking down silos and supporting the adoption of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) - to better translate research and innovation into a vibrant Canadian economy.

Niagara College

Aligning with the local economy

Niagara College consistently ranks among the top 10 top research colleges in Canada. Dr. Marc Nantel, Vice-President of Research, Innovation and Strategic Enterprises, believes its responsiveness to industry is key.

"We operate several innovation centres that focus on horticulture and environmental sciences, advanced manufacturing, and food and beverage industries. They are strategically designed to align with the demands of the local economy, ensuring our research is directly applicable to the needs of regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," he explains. For example, the company Terra Optima, based in nearby London, Ontario, uses food waste to create a fertilizer that stores carbon and regenerates soil. It approached Niagara College's Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre to conduct growth trials in its greenhouse. After showing the product outperformed chemical fertilizers, the college's Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre helped Terra Optima optimize their marketing and distribution plans.

Among the distinguishing features of Niagara College's approach to applied research is its management of intellectual property (IP). It transfers the IP directly to their industry partners, which helps ensure the benefits of research and innovation remain local, accelerates commercialization, and drives sustainable economic development in the community. According to Nantel, "Most of our projects require matching cash and in-kind contributions from partner companies. They have skin in the game and the project is for them. We give them the IP because we want them to be as successful as fast as possible. And if they don't quite know who the competition is or the best way to market their product, or their social media needs a little more oomph, we can help with that, too."

Nantel, who over the last 13 years has grown the Research & Innovation Division from a fledgling department to a pillar of the college, sees its work as win-win-win-win-win.

"I always say there are five beneficiaries of college applied research. Students gain real-world experience through hands-on projects, while industry partners receive solutions to their challenges. Faculty and researchers enjoy professional development and networking opportunities, and colleges improve their reputation and recruitment efforts by showcasing research achievements. Lastly, society benefits from economic development, wealth generation and job creation."

University of Ottawa

Building on strengths

"We already have a very strong life science ecosystem, but we need a place for growth," says Julie St-Pierre, a professor and prominent breast cancer researcher recently appointed Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation, at uOttawa.

Earlier this year, the university broke ground on a new state-of-the-art facility called the Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC). Scheduled to open in 2026, the 350,000+ square foot complex will be uOttawa's largest capital investment in history. Building on Ottawa's hospitals, universities, research institutes, and 130+ health and biotech companies, it will make the city a centre for health innovation.

"It's really great timing," St-Pierre notes. "We reached capacity and needed new lab space. The AMRC will allow us to take the next steps to really move forward in our research. We'll be able to go from knowledge creation all the way to commercialization of ideas and patient care - what we call 'bench to bedside.'"

The complex will focus on Ottawa's existing research strengths, including in vaccines and immunity, cancer, stem cells and neurodegenerative diseases, and the emerging study of the connections between the brain and heart. According to St-Pierre, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine and health care will also be a very important area for research.

A key feature of the AMRC will be the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub, dedicated to incubating and accelerating health science start-ups.

"In life sciences, it takes a very long time to go from discovery to commercialization, unlike high tech," explains St-Pierre. "We need to provide the time and space for local scientists and entrepreneurs to grow their ideas into products, so we don't keep losing our talent abroad."

Along with R&D facilities, the Hub will connect researchers with healthcare professionals, scientists with entrepreneurs, and new companies with advisors, strategic partners and venture capital firms, acting as an anchor for the AMRC.

"There are very few places like this, where everything will be integrated all in one building," adds St-Pierre. "The AMRC allows researchers and entrepreneurs to move back and forth along the discovery pipeline, which is key if we really want to impact patient care."

University of Calgary

Breaking down silos

According to Dr. William Ghali, Vice-President (Research), one of UCalgary's greatest strengths is its commitment to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research. "We have a governance structure that pulls people out of their silos," he says. "So all of our seven health research institutes draw members across various disciplines."

These centres include the O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute.

"Each institute is a hub where experts in fields such as engineering, law, nursing, kinesiology and social sciences come together to tackle pressing health issues," adds Ghali. "For instance, researchers from biomedical engineering and computer science are working on digital innovations for health, while experts in law explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare policy."

Impact is the ultimate outcome arising from research – by which I mean making a difference in the communities we serve.

Dr. William Ghali
Vice-President (Research), University of Calgary

Thanks to its collaborations with Alberta Health Services, the university has already had a major impact on the province's healthcare practices and policies. For example, Alberta's integrated health information system, Connect Care, was developed with input from UCalgary researchers, faculty and physicians.

Ghali cites the university's School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape as another example of its interdisciplinary approach to health research and innovation. The school is working on how to construct healthy, walkable cities to mitigate social vulnerabilities affecting human health.

UCalgary is also working with local school boards and the Alberta Ministry of Education to shape curriculum for optimal health for children in K-12 classrooms. One of these projects is partnering with local Indigenous communities to improve the well-being of Indigenous students. Another is looking at ways to support neurodiverse students, bringing together expertise from the faculties of social work, psychology, sociology and the arts.

"Impact is the ultimate outcome arising from research - by which I mean making a difference in the communities we serve," Ghali explains. "Researchers need to recognize that having impact is a long-term, collaborative process that may require overcoming resistance and inertia in existing systems, or technology transfer and commercialization. The university helps our researchers overcome these challenges, so we can make research useful and meaningful to society."

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

Transforming newcomer integration

With an aging population and declining birth rates, Canada relies on immigration for economic growth and prosperity. However, shifting immigration policies and rapid technological advances are adding complexities to the process of newcomer employment and integration. Despite a host of support programs, underemployment among newcomers remains commonplace.

The Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides research program addresses these and other challenges migrant integration poses for Canada. Led by TMU and funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Bridging Divides is exploring the impact of technological change in the areas of employment, health, social infrastructure and civic engagement.

According to Steven N. Liss, Vice-President of Research and Innovation, "For Canada to sustain its quality of life, we need to ensure immigrants are integrating successfully into a dynamic economy. We are committed to using research to advance a prosperous future for newcomers and all Canadians."

Among its research projects, Bridging Divides is exploring how advanced digital technologies, such as AI, can promote immigrant skills training, support job search and facilitate recruitment, through insights from service providers, employers and newcomers.

"Technological advances can be a catalyst for opportunity, for example, combatting employer bias or facilitating foreign credential recognition. But they can also create new challenges," adds Liss. "By applying a technology lens to immigration, we can improve economic and social outcomes for immigrants and all Canadians."

Another Bridging Divides project is tackling the cybersecurity sector's talent shortage by investigating barriers faced by racialized immigrant women. Early findings from this study reveal that, while many cybersecurity companies have equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policies in place, considerable barriers persist, limiting career advancement and access to leadership roles for this demographic.

"We are drawing on TMU's significant depth of expertise and capacity in research areas with impact on integration, including the future of work and technology adoption," Liss notes. "Through Bridging Divides, we are finding ways to reduce barriers to economic and social inclusion for immigrants, and supporting community dialogue and policy decisions that will help Canada create a thriving society and economy."

McMaster University

Investing in entrepreneurship

"We're steadfast in supporting our researchers in their entrepreneurial pursuits, and encouraging a culture of innovation at every level, from students to faculty to the local community," says Andy Knights, Vice-President, Research (acting).

Canada’s research universities play an important role in driving the country’s innovation and economy.

Andy Knights
Vice-President, Research (acting), McMaster University

The McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) - a hub for regional development - is central to the Greater Hamilton innovation ecosystem, providing a place where startups can incubate and grow.

For example, the MIP is home to the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC), one of the world's leading transportation and smart mobility programs. MARC's lead, Ali Emadi, recently spun out Enedym, a technology company which designs and builds electric motors more efficiently and economically.

The MIP also houses biotech company Fusion Pharmaceuticals. Founded by McMaster chemistry professor John Valliant and recently acquired for US$2 billion by AstraZeneca, Fusion develops next-generation precision cancer medicines.

"We need to invest in entrepreneurship and work closely with our corporate partners - not only to commercialize our discoveries, but to ensure our graduate training is industry-relevant," explains Knights. "And we need programs that bring industry, academia and governments together to maximize opportunities."

The McMaster Seed Fund, designed to support start-ups in their first three years, has been transformational for McMaster entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 2021, the Fund has invested over $3 million in 10 companies, which have created high-quality jobs and have gone on to raise another $7 million in follow-on funding.

McMaster engineering professor Jim Cotton's startup, HARvEST, received an early-stage investment from the Fund in 2023. HARvEST's technology captures and recycles waste heat from restaurant appliances, reducing costs and carbon emissions. It's been successfully demonstrated in three Ontario Pizza Pizza restaurants, and the chain has recently committed to 340 units over the next three years.

"Canada's research universities play an important role in driving the country's innovation and economy," Knights adds. "There's no shortage of ideas - but it is essential we get those ideas out of our research labs and into the hands of those who can maximize their impact."

Simon Fraser University

Creating an entrepreneurial mindset

"Canadian researchers consistently excel as inventors, especially in emerging sectors such as clean energy, AI, agritech, quantum computing and biotechnology. But too many of these discoveries stay in the lab," says Dr. Elicia Maine, Associate Vice-President, Knowledge Mobilization & Innovation, and the W.J. VanDusen Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University (SFU).

So Maine decided to do something about it. She created the Invention to Innovation (i2I) program, which helps STEM scientists mobilize their research. Founded in 2015, the i2I program has since expanded across Canada, benefiting over 500 researchers from 30 universities across the country.

"It's important to foster a more entrepreneurial mindset at the early stage of a researcher's career and prepare them to become scientist-entrepreneurs," Maine explains. "Our program brings researchers into the first stages of innovation and helps them with early-stage decisions about technology-market matching and IP strategy, giving them with a better chance of survival and scalability."

SFU has become a national leader in the translation of invention into innovation, with a range of innovation facilities and supports, such as the SFU Clean Hydrogen Hub, the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation, and the Charles Change Institute for Entrepreneurs, to name a few. So much so, SFU was recognized as the top university in Canada for innovation and second for industrial application by the 2024 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).

Still, according to Maine, more should be done. "Canada needs to put more funding into translational and commercialization activities, especially early on after a new discovery is made. And we need more support for our most highly trained early-stage scientists - our postdoctoral fellows - who are underserved and underutilized. With the right entrepreneurship training, this untapped resource could make a huge impact on Canadian innovation."

Humber Polytechnic

Collaborating with industry

"The Centres of Innovation (COI) Network is at the core of our ability to translate applied research into real-world problem-solving," explains Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO of Humber Polytechnic.

Together with industry partners, we can drive economic impact and create innovative solutions that address societal problems and the needs of the community.

Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan
President and CEO, Humber Polytechnic

"Each of the five COIs focuses on a specific area - technology, health and wellness, the creative industries, social innovation and entrepreneurship - offering state-of-the-art R&D facilities, expert faculty and access to skilled talent. Our industry partners benefit from business-friendly IP policies, unbiased tech evaluations, customized training and opportunities to showcase products. In turn, our graduates acquire the skills to get a meaningful job or start their own business."

For example, the Centre for Social Innovation is working with Othram Inc., a pioneering forensic sequencing lab based in Texas. In partnership with Humber's unique Forensic Identification program, they are developing tools to support law enforcement, as well as building curriculum to train future forensic professionals in areas like genomics and forensic genetic genealogy.

The Broadcast-Broadband Convergence (B²C) Lab at The Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation - another of the five COIs - is collaborating with the City of Calgary to launch North America's first ATSC 3.0 municipal project. Together, they are exploring how the technology can improve the efficiency of city services by creating a more connected Calgary.

"We have a great advantage as a nimble institution focused on unconventional thinking," adds Vaughan. "Together with industry partners, we can drive economic impact and create innovative solutions that address societal problems and the needs of the community."

South Asians are at higher risk of Type 2 diabetes at younger ages and may lack visible symptoms, such as high body mass indices. Leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration, the Centre for Innovation in Health & Wellness is working with Klick Labs to use machine learning to identify vocal biomarkers associated with prediabetes in this vulnerable population.

"As a Network, we can draw on and harness the strengths of each COI to support industry and community," Vaughan says. "Humber is committed to being a driver of social and economic progress, prepared to help partners who want to solve problems, increase productivity, commercialize their innovations and succeed in a competitive market."

Lambton College

Punching above its weight

"Colleges fill a critical gap in Canada's innovation ecosystem, working with industry partners who are further along in their journey," says Mehdi Sheikhzadeh, Senior Vice President, Research and Innovation at Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology in Sarnia, Ontario.

"We provide the bridge to prototype and pilot their ideas before the commercialization phase, offering up the applied skill sets and infrastructure to develop, test and optimize their technology," he explains.

One of Lambton College's main areas of innovation is clean technology. For example, they are working with Origin Materials, which is originally from California and has since moved to Ontario. It converts bio-based residuals into plastic products that are fully recyclable and carbon neutral.

"Origin came to the area around six years ago and we helped them build a pilot plant. Since then, $135 million has been invested in a commercial facility here and Lambton continues to work with them to improve their technology and operations. Some of our graduates and researchers are now employed with Origin, showing how a project like this can generate local economic activity."

This year, Lambton College launched a Centre for Community, Health and Social Impact, extending beyond industry to provide innovation support to partners such as hospitals, non-profits and Indigenous communities. Recent projects include a game based on Indigenous history and culture, and an age-friendly e-course for businesses and agencies that serve seniors.

"Whether it's industry or a regional agency, they come to us with a specific problem to solve, and we help provide a solution," explains Sheikhzadeh. "This is a model that all Canadian research institutions could benefit from. If we can connect our activities to the demands that exist in industry and our communities, we may have a better outcome for our research."

Still, colleges receive a tiny fraction of government research support - about 2.5% of all tri-council funding. And that doesn't sit right with Sheikhzadeh.

"Colleges punch well above our weight. We need to be invited to the innovation tables. That way, we can have an even greater impact on the Canadian innovation ecosystem, providing direct benefit to industry and the communities we serve."

The Ottawa Hospital

Integrating research into patient care

According to Dr. Rebecca Auer, Executive Vice-President of Research and Innovation at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), there is more to research hospitals than you might expect.

"Of course, we bring new treatments to patients through clinical trials and integrate research into clinical care. But we also discover and develop new therapies, then manufacture and commercialize them," says Dr. Auer, who is also CEO and Scientific Director of the hospital's research institute.

One example is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which engineers a patient's own immune T-cells to detect and kill cancer cells, offering new hope where other treatments fall short.

Traditional CAR T-cell therapies from the United States are expensive and difficult to access in Canada. So TOH researchers helped create the first made-in-Canada version of CAR T-cell therapy at its Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre. The most successful facility of its kind in Canada, the centre has made more than 20 biotherapies for clinical trials in 11 countries under its belt, led by both academic and industrial partners.

"Our CAR T-cell therapy program involves experts in everything from molecular biology and biomanufacturing to clinical trials and implementation science," she explains. "And we involve patients at every step of our research - from setting priorities, to designing and participating in trials."

The Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre is currently expanding its facilities and scope by partnering with the federally-funded Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub, which will enable Canada to respond more quickly and competitively to any future outbreaks.

Still, research hospitals like TOH face some real challenges.

"Our health care system is under stress and external funding for research never covers the full costs. Canada needs stable, dedicated funding for hospital-based research, as well as more research grants so we can compete for top talent."

A 2021 Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) article calls for a more efficient clinical research infrastructure in this country, citing fragmentation and a culture of research separate from clinical practice. It points to the UK's Clinical Research Network as a model.

"We need to better integrate research into patient care, so every patient has an opportunity to access tomorrow's therapies today," Auer adds. "Research is hope - not only for our patients, but also for the scientists, clinicians and staff who care for them."

RRC Polytech

Engaging Indigenous perspectives

"The best-kept secret about applied research at RRC Polytech is that it has matured to become a network of interdisciplinary capabilities supporting early-concept stage to technology diffusion," says Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation (RPI).

Indeed, RRC Polytech is consistently ranked one of Canada's top research colleges, with more than $90 million in research infrastructure investments, and about 135 researchers and 600 students involved annually.

We are beginning to take steps to ensure we are bringing Indigenous ways of knowing into our work, but we acknowledge there’s much more to do.

Dr. Jolen Galaugher
Director of Research Partnerships and Innovation, RRC Polytech

But perhaps what stands out most about RRC Polytech's applied research enterprise is its commitment to Indigenous engagement.

"Applied research is now situated under Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, integrated within a division overseeing Indigenous community partnerships and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action," explains Galaugher. "Our priorities are continuous learning and engaging the perspectives of Indigenous researchers, Knowledge Keepers and community members."

An example of this approach is the partnership between RRC Polytech's Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) and Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN). Five years ago, PRK and OCN developed a kale-infused sausage to align with the community's food preferences. Now, OCN, PRK and the University of Manitoba are exploring ways to improve food security, including a smart vertical farming project.

"We are beginning to take steps to ensure we are bringing Indigenous ways of knowing into our work, but we acknowledge there's much more to do," Galaugher notes.

One area RRC Polytech is just beginning to address is the tension between Western legal frameworks and Indigenous knowledge systems concerning intellectual property. RPI recently hosted a panel on Indigenous Entrepreneurship & Intellectual Property, in partnership with the North Forge incubator, and in collaboration with several Indigenous entrepreneurs and experts, and RRC Polytech's Indigenous incubator Mittohnee Pogo'ohtah.

"Solving the most pressing challenges of our time, such as in digital adoption and AI, food security, clean energy and climate change require an ecosystem approach," says Galaugher. "Applied research at RRC Polytech aims to partner and cooperate with industry, universities, national research labs, and Indigenous communities - to strengthen Manitoba's research innovation ecosystem and create a sustainable, inclusive future for all."

Conference Board of Canada

Addressing Canada's innovation paradox

Alain Francq is the Director of Innovation and Technology at the Conference Board of Canada, where he focuses on what he calls "those wicked, intractable problems that are preventing Canada from achieving its full potential."

Canada’s a beautiful country. It has all the resources and ideas it needs. But we must be bold and aggressive in pursuing our dreams.

Alain Francq
Director of Innovation and Technology, Conference Board of Canada

One of his main concerns is this country's innovation paradox. "Canada has a highly educated workforce and strong entrepreneurial spirit, yet we struggle to translate this potential into tangible economic growth," Francq explains. This disconnect is evident in the Conference Board's 2024 Innovation Report Card, which compares Canada's innovation performance across 21 indicators. While Canada ranks above average in higher education and research capability, it falters in overall innovation, rating a disappointing 15th among 20 countries.

"Canada produces some of the best ideas on the planet - from AI to quantum technologies - but we need to do more to commercialize them," asserts Francq. "Because of low business expenditures in R&D, our highly qualified personnel are going elsewhere."

Perhaps the most perplexing paradox is the Canadian fear of failure, despite our high rate of entrepreneurship. According to Francq, "We have more businesses being started in Canada than most other OECD nations. But the economic consequences associated with failure can deter potential innovators. We need to create supportive frameworks to help de-risk our entrepreneurs."

The Conference Board's Innovation Report Card recommends adopting new technologies and new competition legislation to enhance innovation-driven growth, while reinforcing existing strengths in higher education and research through increased funding.

"Canada's a beautiful country. It has all the resources and ideas it needs. But we must be bold and aggressive in pursuing our dreams," says Francq. "We need a commitment to big ideas and potent systems that can support nimble, innovative companies. Only then can we take our incredible talent and skills and ideas - and translate them into prosperity for ourselves, our family and everyone we care about."

National Research Council of Canada (NRC)

Helping SMEs leverage AI

Canadian SMEs account for more than half of this country's GDP and most of its private sector jobs. So it's no wonder the NRC has worked for decades to support their success.

According to Mitch Davies, NRC President, "One of our roles is acting as a bridge between research and commercialization. For example, in fiscal 2023-24, our flagship NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) provided $468 million in funding to help SMEs take their ideas to market."

Last year alone, NRC IRAP supported more than 9,000 SMEs through its nationwide network of 273 Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs). They provide technical and business advice, research and development funding, and link SMEs to global value chains to help them grow and scale-up.

Now, NRC IRAP's new AI Assist program will help SMEs navigate the challenges of generative AI (Gen AI) and deep learning (DL), so they can integrate these technologies safely and ethically.

"For over 20 years, the NRC has been at the forefront of responsible applied AI," says Davies. "Our researchers use it to accelerate scientific discovery and find solutions to national priorities such as sustainable construction, health and biomanufacturing, resilient crop production, critical minerals and low-carbon transportation."

With funding provided in Budget 2024, the AI Assist program is investing $100 million to help Canadian SMEs build and deploy Gen AI and DL in their core products and services. It will support them with related research, product development, testing and validation, in turn improving their competitiveness and productivity.

"We know that AI will play a crucial role in opening up faster paths to innovation," Davies adds. "For example, we expect that by 2030, 30% of new drugs and materials will be discovered using generative AI and large language models. Our new program will help build the next generation of AI - for Canada and beyond."

Leah Geller is a science writer specializing in health, climate, research and innovation. Find out more at www.leahgeller.com.