News from the IPL
EVENTS
Built For All: How Do We Build Back Better?
Built for All, a report by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and the Centre for Public Impact, examines the prospects and challenges for building an inclusive global economy. In this webinar, panelists will discuss the three key components of this framework: equitable access to resources and opportunities; collective stewardship of shared resources for future generations; and a level playing field for work and competition. By focusing on the actions that businesses, governments, academia and civic organizations need to play, panelists will explore the potential to build a more inclusive global future.
Speakers:
- Marcela Escobari, Senior Fellow, Center for Sustainable Development in the Global Economy and Development Program, Brookings
- Arturo Franco, Vice President, Research, Data and Insight, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
- Dan Vogel, Director, North America, Centre for Public Impact
- Joseph Wong (remarks), Vice-President, International, University of Toronto; Roz and Ralph Halbert Professor of Innovation at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and Professor, Department of Political Science
- Vibeka Mair (moderator), Senior Reporter, Responsible Investor
June 2-3, 2021
The Urban Leadership eXchange is a certificate of completion offered by the IMIx Executive Program in collaboration with the Master of Urban Innovation program at the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Institute for Management & Innovation. Led by distinguished University of Toronto faculty, this two half-day program held on June 2nd and 3rd will bring together leading researchers and practitioners to help participants promote positive economic and social change through urban innovation. The goal of the ULX program is to help professionals across the Greater Toronto region to better understand the relationship between cities and innovation. Each ULX session pairs a U of T faculty member with a thought leader to explore urban innovation through one of three lenses: cities as centres of the innovation economy, as sites of technological innovation, or as sources of policy innovation.
PRESS
David Wolfe, Special to the Financial Post
This article by IPL Co-director David Wolfe asserts that Climate change, environmental sustainability and public health concerns are now the critical lenses through which all potential innovations must be filtered.
The Innovation Imperative: Why Canada needs to harness the power of the platform economy
Shauna Brail, Special to the Financial Post
This article by IPL Senior Associate argues that if we want to avoid being the equivalent of a branch plant economy for platform firms, we need to act.
Steven Denney and David Wolfe Special to Financial Post
This article by IPL Co-Director David Wolfe and IPL Post Doctoral Fellow Steven Denney lays out the economic case for focusing innovation supports on Scale-ups. The article notes that these firms are well positioned to advance through the recovery and be a main source of net job growth
Dan Breznitz and Dan Munro, Special to Financial Post
This article by IPL Co-Director Dan Breznitz and IPL Director of Policy Projects Dan Munro articulates why bridging the digital divide is so central to unlocking Canada’s innovation potential. The article argues that that Canada cannot afford to leave our most promising future entrepreneurs and Einsteins behind.
Editor's Pick
Survey of Innovation and Business Strategy, 2017 to 2019
Statistics Canada
This post links to the recently released data from the Survey of Innovation and Business Strategy for the reference period 2017/2019. This the first of the three releases scheduled by Statistics Canada. Businesses are considered innovative if they introduce or bring into use new or improved goods, services or business processes that differed significantly from their previous, goods, services or business processes. The data shows that larger businesses (250 or more employees) were more likely to be innovative (85.8%) than businesses with fewer employees, with 79.0% of businesses with fewer than 100 employees being innovative in the 2017-to-2019 reference period. Ontario had the highest share of innovative businesses (83.1%), followed by the “rest of Canada” category (which includes Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut) at 79.4%, Quebec (77.9%), and the Atlantic region (68.5%).
Cities & Regions
Rethinking the political economy of place: challenges of productivity and inclusion
Emil Evenhuis, Niel Lee, Ron Martin, Peter Tyler, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society
This Editorial begins by discussing the scale of the current productivity slowdown and of the widening inequalities that have emerged, particularly with regard to their spatial dimension: that is how the uneven and slow development of productivity and rise in inequalities have played out across and within regions and cities. It then briefly considers underlying factors that lie behind these trends, including financialisation / financial globalization, the diminishing role of organised labour, segmentation of the labour market favouring workers who play a key role in financialisation, together with the increasing polarisation within societies according to skill and, crucially, the impact of changing industrial composition particularly as it relates to the rise of the high-tech sectors. The Editorial then examines in what ways the slowdown of productivity and widening of economic and spatial inequalities, may be interrelated, and questions the notion of any efficiency-equity trade-off. Lastly, it considers whether the ‘inclusive growth’ agenda can potentially reconcile the two ambitions of improving productivity performance and lessening inequalities, reflecting on what inclusive growth could mean, and what it could imply in terms of policy. Thus far, it appears that an inclusive growth agenda has only gained some traction at the subnational level, which seems to reflect – at least in part – attempts by cities and regions to address gaps in policy left by national governments.
Statistics
Research and development personnel, 2018
Statistics Canada
The number of research and development (R&D) personnel in Canada rose 2.8% in 2018 to 244,450 full-time equivalents (FTEs). This was the second consecutive year in which the number of R&D personnel rose.The year 2018 also marks the first time since 2008 that all occupational categories, including on-site research consultants (introduced to the survey in 2014), rose on a year-over-year basis. Leading the charge was an increase in the number of researchers, whose levels rose by 3.1% to 167,440 FTEs. The business enterprise sector’s total R&D personnel rose 3.3% in 2018 to 151,570 FTEs, following two consecutive annual decreases. This growth was driven by increases in the number of researchers and, to a lesser extent, on-site research consultants, despite marginal decreases in technicians and support staff. As a result, businesses employed 62.0% of Canada’s total R&D personnel, followed by the higher education sector at 31.1% (75,970 FTEs), the federal government at 5.4% (13,080 FTEs), provincial governments at 1.1% (2,580 FTEs), and the private non-profit sector at 0.5% (1,240 FTEs).
Venture Pulse Q1 2021 Canadian analysis of venture funding
KPMG
This Q1’21 Canadian edition of the KPMG Venture Pulse quarterly report highlights the major achievements, trends and outlook for venture capital (VC) investment in Canada. After a near-record year in 2020 for capital raised at $120.3 billion, the global VC environment kicked off Q1’21 with over $43 billion committed already in the first quarter of 2021. The results in Canada are no exception, surging to a high of $2.5 billion in deal value.
Innovation Policy
Endless Frontier Act would expand federal science, innovation competitiveness
Jason Rittenberg, SSTI
This post summarizes the US Endless Frontier Act, recently reintroduced by a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators. The bill would authorize more than $112 billion over five years for new research and commercialization activities within the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Commerce. This proposal would establish multiple tools at each agency to support regional innovation economies. The most substantial provision of the Endless Frontier Act would create a new “Directorate for Technology and Innovation” at NSF focused on development and commercialization. The legislation proposes $100 billion over five years for this directorate, which would make it roughly twice the size of the rest of the agency. NSF would be authorized to, among other things, support consortia-based technology centers, fund STEM education opportunities at all levels of higher education, and facilitate technology transfer. These activities would be focused on 10 broad technology areas, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, cybersecurity, batteries and materials science.
European Commission
This document summarizes the Commission’s proposal of “the first ever legal framework on AI, which addresses the risks of AI and positions Europe to play a leading role globally.” This explanatory memorandum accompanies the proposal for a Regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act).
Policy Digest
Collaborative platforms for emerging technology: Creating convergence spaces
David Winickoff, Laura Kreiling, Martin Borowieck, Hermann Garden, and James Philp, OECD
This paper explores experimental forms of collaborative platforms to provide better linkages between research and innovation, and to promote the development and use of emerging technology. This report analyses 33 case studies from key fields of emerging technology – genomics, advanced materials and engineering biology. The authors find that “collaborative platforms are most effective when they act as ‘convergence spaces’ for the fusion of diverse disciplines, actors and technology.” It also shows how governance mechanisms shape platform operations and act as policy levers for ordering what amounts to a common pool resource: they aim to maximise tangible and intangible value, realise sustainability models, foment collaboration, and promote technological integration.
Policy implications for the design of collaborative platforms
- Build sustainability models that encourage interaction over revenue or IP generation. Platform developers should consider designing access and IP policies that maximise the use of its resources and interaction. For example, fee–based mechanisms should differentiate between kinds of private sector actors, large and small. Standardised access procedures can avoid delays and lower bureaucratic barriers.Platforms should ideally seek to build intangible value like skills and education through training programs, and provide adequate job security despite project–based funding to avoid “brain drain”.
- Leverage collaborative platforms as vehicles to drive mission–oriented innovation policy. Collaborative platforms can help implement missions and mission–oriented policies by serving as a hub to align and coordinate diverse actors and to drive the development of emerging technologies. Many grand challenges cannot be achieved by platforms within a single country, and there are therefore often great potential gains for international collaboration. Thus, governments should consider directly supporting activities of platform actors across borders.
- Activate mechanisms which enable different actors to convene and innovate jointly. Standards coordinate users and are therefore prerequisites for platform use and access. In setting standards, the use and promotion of industry consensus, rather than top–down approaches, may help avoid fragmentation that can result from too many standards. If collaborative platform are to act as hubs for ecosystem growth or its creation, built–in flexibility is required so that platform dynamics can occur, such as changes in platform actors.
- Realise the potential of digitalisation in convergence. Digitalisation can accelerate convergence and the inclusivity of platforms. Platform should consider investing in strong data management systems to produce high quality databases. Access to data improves platform attractiveness, but platforms need clarity about rights of control and use. Sustainable data infrastructures require long–term investment and clear incentives for individual researchers and companies to share data with provisions to protect their interest.
- Catalyse the interaction of technology and society. Collaborative platforms can help deepen the engagement of the broader society with emerging technologies. They are positioned to convene stakeholders and publics to discuss goals, expectations and concerns around emerging technologies. These activities can feed into the potential formation of research questions within the collaborative platform, generating trust and trustworthiness in sociotechnical projects.
Links to recent IPL webinars
Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship in Canada
This is a recording of the March 23rd 2021 webinar focused on the importance of IP protection for entrepreneurship, the intellectual property environment in Canada, and existing support for firms. Panelists discussed issues relating to their firm’s ability to secure IP especially as it relates to IP education and the role of government in supporting IP protection. Speakers: Seray Çiçek, Ryan Hubbard, Graeme Moffat, Moderator: Shiri Breznitz
Canada’s future skills strategy: Workforce development for inclusive innovation
This is a recording of the January 19th 2021 webinar discussing the Future Skills Council report, released in November 2020, which recommends equitable and competitive labour market strategies in response to disruptive technological, economic, social and environmental events. It aims to provide a roadmap to a stronger, more resilient future for Canada. In this webinar, panelists discuss the report’s key action areas and pathways to successful implementation. Speakers: Rachel Wernick, Denise Amyot, Dan Munro, & David Ticoll.
Inclusive Innovation: COVID and After
This is a recording of the December 10th 2020 webinar discussing the importance of inclusive innovation; policies needed to bring it about; opportunities and prospects for doing so in the era of COVID-19; and new initiatives for measuring and tracking progress – including GDP 2.0 and the Innovation Policy Lab’s Inclusive Innovation Monitor. Speakers: Dan Breznitz, Susan Helper, Daniel Munro, & Anjum Sultana
Urban Leadership & Innovation During Times of Crisis
This is a recording of the Dec 3rd 2020 webinar discussing how urban leaders are the frontlines of crisis response, from the COVID-19 the pandemic and its associated economic, social and fiscal challenges to the growing protests over racial and economic justice and the looming reality of climate change. This session highlights the way urban leaders can best respond to build more inclusive, just and resilient cities and generate the policy innovations that can shape enduring change. Speakers: Richard Florida, Anita McGahan, Shauna Brail, & Supriya Dwivedi
Canada’s Innovation Imperative
This is a recording of the November 9, 2020 event. Innovation contributes to regional and national prosperity and is a well-established economic concept. To succeed in building capacity and strength in this technical realm, government policies must be deliberate, systematic and rooted in expertise. Data shows that Canada missed the shift from the tangible to intangible economy. Moving forward, how can we make sure Canada builds competitive advantage through policy that leverages innovation for tomorrow’s economy? Speakers: Jim Balsillie, Dan Breznitz, Meagan Simpson (moderator).
This is a recording of the November 12, 2020 event. Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn A. Wilkins outlines how the COVID-19 crisis has damaged economic potential and discusses what will be needed to thrive in the post-pandemic world. Speakers: Carolyn Wilkins, Michael Sabia, Shauna Brail (moderator).
Policymaking Under Uncertainty
This is a recording of the Oct. 14th, 2020 event focused on Policymaking Under Uncertainty. Policymaking is a challenging endeavour under the best of times, as politicians and bureaucrats seek to juggle the need for rapid and innovative interventions on the one hand with democratic accountability on the other. Speakers: Uri Gabai, Darius Ornston, Sylvia Schwaag Serger, and Dan Breznitz.
This is a recording of the Jul 16th, 2020 event focused on exploring the short and long term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Panelists included Catherine Beaudry, Ben Spigel, Tara Vinodrai, and David Wolfe.
Will COVID-19 Bring Us Together or Blow Us Apart? The Global Security Implications of the Pandemic
This is a recording of the July 7th, 2020 event focused on the national and international security implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Janice Stein discusses the historical security lessons of previous pandemics and depressions, Jon Lindsay considers emerging military and strategic dangers exacerbated by COVID-19, and Ron Deibert discusses the cybersecurity and surveillance threats associated with the unprecedented relocation of life online.
This is a recording of the June 11, 2020 event focused on how will COVID-19 shape the future of our cities. Join experts Anita McGahan, Shauna Brail (School of Cities), and Nathalie des Rosiers (Massey College), Richard Florida (School of Cities Professor) as they discuss cities after COVID with Marcia Young, host of CBC’s World Report.
This is a recording of the June 11, 2020 event focused on the impact of COVID-19 on higher education. Speakers: Shiri Breznitz, Heike Mayer, Donald Siegel and Elvira Uyarra.
The Future of (Decent?) Work After COVID-19
This is a recording of the May 26, 2020 Munk School / Innovation Policy Lab / CIFAR event focused on the future of work after COVID-19. Speakers: Dan Breznitz, Zabeen Hirji and Peter Warrian.
This is a recording of the May 11th 2020 event focused on “what will the world look like in the wake of COVID-19?” Speakers: Shauna Brail, Anita McGahan, Tara Vinodrai and Shiri Breznitz.
COVID-19 and the World’s Grand Challenges
This is a recording of the May 8th 2020 event focused on “what impact will COVID-19 have on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?” Speakers: Anita McGahan, Joseph Wong and Karlee Silver.
How is COVID-19 affecting global supply chains?
This is a recording of the April 29th 2020 event focused on “how is COVID-19 affecting supply chains in Canada and around the globe?” Speakers: Dan Breznitz, Shauna Brail and Steven Denney.
Events
May 10-13, 2021 | May 10 – Pre-conference Summer School
Virtual conference
The Partnership for the Organization of Innovation (4POINT0) is organizing the first ‘‘Policies, Processes and Practices for Performance of Innovation Ecosystems” (P4IE) international conference on 10-13 May 2020. Organized around eight highly relevant tracks, the conference offers participants the opportunity to discuss the impact of various technologies, practices, processes and policies, on innovation ecosystems, and the best means by which to design collaborative environments. The goal of the conference is to explore ways to strengthen Canada’s innovation through innovation ecosystems.
Co-creating Economic Recovery: New Models for Innovation Support
June 1-4, 2021
Registration for the 20th annual Research Money conference is now open! The virtual conference, "Co-creating Economic Recovery: New Models for Innovation Support" will be held June 1-4, 2021. Visit the conference website to learn more about the program and register. Register before April 30th, 2021 to take advantage spring pricing.
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This newsletter is prepared by Travis Southin.
Project manager is David A. Wolfe