Science and Research committee  Yes, I think that's definitely a consideration. Patents are a tool within an IP strategy, but there are others, trade secrets being a large one and utilizing software being another. Sophisticated growth companies that are exporting globally have an IP strategy, and I think sometimes we use “IP strategy” and “patent” as synonymous when they are not.

Science and Research committee  I'd invite you to look at an organization called In-Q-Tel. Again, I come with a bias of cybersecurity and software, so that's what I know best. In-Q-Tel represents the 21 U.S. intelligence agencies—everything from the CIA to military intelligence to defence intelligence, etc. It has a full gamut of tools not only to address the needs of the intelligence community from a technology perspective, but also to see technologies commercialized from the United States to the benefit of Americans.

Science and Research committee  I think it's about alignment. When you're trying to reach global markets, access big ideas to create net new things the economy hasn't seen before and move the needle on GDP—because I believe that's the goal—that requires alignment. I'm pleased to see it's happening in some sectors on the EV and battery side.

Science and Research committee  I'd be happy to do that.

Science and Research committee  Absolutely. I think you have to go to the first principle. What is the general unit to successfully commercialize IP? We've spent a lot of the discussion today on universities. I think they are extremely good generators of ideas that become intellectual property, but to see commercial success, as in a lot of the examples that have been given here, the basic unit is a company.

Science and Research committee  I would look at the size of the company and the source country of those types of companies, or the beneficial ownership of them. Twenty seconds isn't enough time to get into that. I would be happy to table some content on that. I really think we need to focus on what we want to achieve here.

Science and Research committee  Thanks for that question. I'll just very quickly preface my answer by saying that while I was introduced with an academic title, my day job is within a company called Magnet Forensics, a cybersecurity company out of Waterloo, Ontario. We're exporting to over 100 countries. I just wanted to give that context.

Science and Research committee  Mr. Chair and members of the committee, thank you for the invitation. You've already heard from the chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators and the CEO of the Innovation Asset Collective. These are organizations with which I'm affiliated, so I'll aim to make my comments additive.