Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to the committee for the invitation to appear today and participate in your study of the Auditor General's “Report 6: Sustainable Development Technology Canada”.
My name is Zoë Kolbuc. I am joining you today virtually from my home in Calgary, Alberta, on Treaty 7 territory, where I recognize the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Siksika Nation, the Piikani Nation, the Kainaiwa, the Tsuut’ina Nation, the Stoney Nakoda nations and the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3.
I began my work with SDTC almost eight years ago. It has been an honour to work with the many skilled and talented professionals at the foundation, each of whom remains steadfastly committed to advancing sustainable economic growth in Canada. Through our work together, the foundation has supported hundreds of clean technology businesses, which are generating jobs and contributing to local economies across the country as they tackle global sustainability challenges.
In my role as vice-president of ecosystems, I am responsible for a team of individuals who work in regions across Canada. These individuals are tasked with helping build awareness of SDTC funding to ensure broad representation of applicants from across Canada. This work includes outreach to provincial funding programs, including one-window partnerships in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, and outreach to potential partners and investors, as well as supporting a whole-of-government approach to help connect companies to the various supports the federal government offers.
I was also assigned the responsibility of managing the application process for the seed funding stream following the establishment of this new funding stream in 2019. This stream focused on early-stage funding to advance clean-technology innovation, and it was developed to foster and encourage collaboration through partnerships across Canada. Applicants were required to meet a series of eligibility requirements as outlined in the contribution agreement. They were screened by a panel of experts, presented to SDTC's project review committee and then recommended to the board for approval.
In launching this stream, an explicit target was to grow the number of women-led companies that SDTC was supporting. Prior to the funding pause last fall, over a third of the companies funded were led by women. This approach helped to expand SDTC support across Canada through a network of over 85 partners. It also resulted in SDTC supporting firms in every province in Canada for the first time in the history of the foundation.
I was also involved in the two pilot projects that were approved under the ecosystems pilot funding stream.
Lastly, I want to respond to some past testimony at this committee regarding my conduct as a leader. I was surprised and deeply saddened by the allegations. I have always strived to foster an inclusive, supportive and respectful workplace and to conduct myself with the same values of integrity, empathy and kindness that I look to instill in my three young daughters. These allegations were thoroughly reviewed by McCarthy Tétrault and its final conclusions on these matters are on the public record.
I want to close my remarks by wishing all of the talented and dedicated colleagues I work with at SDTC the very best as they transition to the National Research Council. I will continue to support them and the new board in fulfilling its mandate to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible for my exceptional colleagues, as well as for the entrepreneurs and small business owners SDTC supports.
I welcome your questions.
