Media Advisory - Seizing Innovation Opportunities in Ontario: Are We Leading or Lagging?

Featuring an address by The Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State, Science and Technology

TORONTO, March 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada spends more per capita on R&D than most of its industrialized counterparts worldwide but lags behind other highly developed countries on business innovation. On Thursday, March 22, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers will host a discussion on this disconnect and how engineers can help fuel Canadian leadership in innovation.

WHO:  This discussion will feature insights from:

• The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Minister of State responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
• Donna Cansfield, MPP Etobicoke Centre, Parliamentary Assistant - Economic Development
• David Zingg, PhD, P.Eng., Director, University of Toronto Institute of Aerospace Studies
• Expert panelists in the fields of engineering, innovation and economic development

WHEN:	Thursday, March 22, 2012 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. Registration 8:20 - 8:40 a.m. Ms. Canfield speaks 8:40 - 9:20 a.m. Panel Discussion: Funding and Support Programs 10:00 - 10:20 a.m. Professor Zingg Speaks 10:20 - 11:20 a.m. Panel Discussion: From Funding to Commercialization 11:35 - 12:30 p.m. Networking and Lunch 12:30 - 12:50 p.m. Minister of State Goodyear Speaks
WHERE:	Toronto Board of Trade Downtown Centre - 4^th floor 1 First Canadian Place (use 77 Adelaide St. W. entrance)

The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) is the voice of the engineering profession in Ontario. OSPE advances the professional and economic interests of Ontario engineers by advocating with governments and building pubic awareness of the invaluable contributions engineering makes to Ontario's economy and quality of life.

Andrea Ritter 
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
416-223-9961 ext. 224 
[email protected]