Industry committee  I would like to talk about the human dimension, whether it be about culture or training. More young people must be encouraged to study science. As Paul was saying, very often in Canada, we were in the habit of operating like US companies. Instead of creating innovation, we were c

Industry committee  In essence, this is what the government is doing through new programs such as the Centres for Excellence in Commercialization and Research, the Science and Technology Strategy for priority areas and new business-led networks announced a while back. We are trying to resolve the pr

Industry committee  Simply to add that a success story in this area has been one of our networks, the intelligence systems for innovative structure. We've been developing new technologies for bridge repair and concrete deck surface changes and rehabilitation. They have worked for 14 years closely wi

Industry committee  We need big science in Canada for a number of reasons. We need big science to attract the best scientists, to be part of the club internationally, and to focus on the areas where we have clear benefits. You mentioned the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron, and I think that's a su

Industry committee  I have two quick comments. First, the granting agencies have a standard policy on IP commercialization, and they are reviewing that policy. So, Jeffrey, we'll certainly go to you on this one. Consultations are starting now. The second comment is that the granting agencies are a

Industry committee  I think that for some time to come, we will need to ramp up training activities and go out and find people wherever they may be. That is the reality of the world in which we live. We are operating in a global economy. People are highly mobile, in particular people with the skills

Industry committee  Certainly. I can tell you about a few successes. Perhaps the best known company is Genome British Columbia. Several years ago, $45 million was invested to launch this company. Mr. Johnston can surely tell you about a number of his companies. One is Precarn, a company that manage

Industry committee  Without a doubt. In terms of the program priorities first identified in 1989, if we look at what's happening in the rest of the world, Canada's priorities have always been properly aligned. Our priorities have been information technologies, biotechnology and applications in key d

Industry committee  There are always ways of improving commercialization activities. The granting councils — in particular, NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC — emphasize this aspect. They work closely to improve the focus of some of the technologies that we develop, and to help the people who are the driving fo

Industry committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to speak to you today about the networks of centres of excellence, and specifically about the centres of excellence for commercialization and research and their role in the government's science and technology strategy. We ha