Startup Canada partners with Google Canada, SSHRC for public consultations on Canada’s innovation strategy

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Startup Canada has partnered with Google Canada and the federal government’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to gather opinions on building a national strategy that fosters entrepreneurship in Canada.

The partners will host six forums across Canada, a nationally live-streamed panel including entrepreneurs, students, academics, government, and industry experts for a national dialogue, and a two-month digital consultation that allows Canadians to submit written entries, videos, or use the hashtag #CreativeCanada.

This initiative is meant to support the federal government’s current consultations in building the innovation agenda. The findings will be announced in November 2016.

“The future of the nation is rooted in the innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurialism of Canadians. Everyone must do their part to provide the best environment for these skills and values to be developed,” said Victoria Lennox, CEO and co-founder of Startup Canada. “In doing so, we will drive new industries, multiply social impact, and will make Canadian inventions and ideas known around the world. We are thrilled to partner with SSHRC and Google to undertake these consultations that will contribute to a strategy to make Canada a rivalled destination for leading talent and investment.”

The partners are exploring topics like development of talent, creative industries, as well as social and entrepreneurial innovation.

“We are delighted to partner with Startup Canada and Google Canada on this far-reaching initiative. Training and research in the social sciences and humanities addresses the cultural, economic, environmental, social and technological issues shaping our shared future,” said Ted Hewitt, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. “By facilitating greater connections among students, researchers and thought leaders across government, industry and community sectors, we can better understand the value of creativity and entrepreneurial cultures to Canadian innovation, prosperity and quality of life.”

Check out the schedule for the regional forums:

Fredericton, N.B., September 13, 2016;
Montreal, Q.C., October 4, 2016;
Vancouver, B.C., October 24, 2016;
Calgary, A.B., October 27, 2016;
Toronto, O.N., October 31, 2016;
Digital Town Hall, November 3; and,
Waterloo, O.N., November 9, 2016;

Jessica Galang

Jessica Galang

Freelance tech writer. Former BetaKit News Editor.

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