Leaders from six innovative sectors will guide federal efforts to create new business opportunities and jobs for Canadians
OTTAWA, Aug. 16, 2017 /CNW/ - High-growth industries and the middle class will benefit from growth that will be unlocked by the Government of Canada's new Economic Strategy Tables.
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, today announced the creation of six Economic Strategy Tables representing six high-growth industries that were identified in Budget 2017.
Each table will be chaired by a business leader who is a recognized innovator. Each chair will preside over a group of approximately 15 members who will guide federal efforts to create the conditions for long-term growth that lead to new business opportunities and middle-class jobs for Canadians.
The Economic Strategy Tables will set ambitious growth targets for Canadian innovators, identify sector-specific challenges that they face and create a roadmap to support their global success.
Minister Bains today announced the appointment of two of the six chairs. They are:
- Charles Deguire, Co-founder of Kinova Robotics of Boisbriand, Quebec, who will chair the advanced manufacturing table; and
- Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients of Regina, Saskatchewan, who will chair the agri-food table.
The chairs of the clean technology, digital industries, health/bio-sciences and clean resources tables will be appointed and announced in the coming weeks.
The Economic Strategy Tables are part of the Government's Innovation and Skills Plan to create well-paying jobs and strengthen the middle class by investing in high-growth sectors where Canada has a globally competitive advantage.
Quotes
"The sectors that drive innovation are where the middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow are created. Our government is committed to working with entrepreneurs and innovators to generate new business opportunities, create good middle-class jobs and equip Canadians with the skills they need for the jobs of the future. Our government looks forward to working with industry partners through the Economic Strategy Tables to turn high-growth Canadian companies into global successes."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
"Today's announcement builds on our government's work to help ensure the agriculture and agri-food sector remains a leader in job creation and innovation, and it will help achieve our objective of expanding agricultural exports to $75 billion by 2025. We look forward to participating in these discussions with Canada's agricultural innovators and industry members. We will continue to support Canadian producers and processors to help them stay on the cutting edge of innovation while creating jobs and growth for the middle class."
– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture
Quick facts
- The Economic Strategy Tables will meet regularly starting in September 2017.
- Each table will present a report of its findings and recommendations by summer 2018.
- These tables will support the Government's goal of doubling the number of high-growth Canadian companies to 28,000 from 14,000 by 2025.
Associated links
Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED
SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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