Conference Report: Innovation In Canada's Resource Sectors ...

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Elizabeth Cannon, University of Calgaryand Glen Schmidt, Laricina Energy
<strong>In</strong>troduction<strong>In</strong> recent years, innovation has been at the forefrontof discussions on the future of the Canadian economy.Concerns about economic competitiveness and ourrelatively low position in international rankings ofinnovation and productivity have caused many todecry the innovation gap in Canada. As a result,heavy emphasis has been placed on transforming theCanadian economy into a leader in innovation andknowledge generation.While this new vision of Canada is exciting, a seriousquestion stands out: can a country with a rich resourcebase balance innovation and knowledge-based activitieswith an economy underpinned by the extraction andexport of commodities? Must we downplay our resourcebase in favour of developing a competitive advantagein knowledge and innovation?Many have answered that question in the affirmative,suggesting that continued emphasis on the resourcesector will in the long-term make Canada a laggard ineconomic growth. Within this, there has been a strongsuggestion that the resource sectors have little capacityfor innovation, and that the continued export of resourcesnegatively impacts the competiveness of other sectors.This has resulted in the recommendation that Canadiangovernments and companies make a concerted effort tooffset the commodity emphasis that has guided muchof our economic policy in favour of one based oninnovation and knowledge generation. However,this denies the serious potential that exists to exploreinnovative new ways to continue the growth in resourceproductivity and sustainability.Canada’s energy, forestry and mining sectors represent11% or $131B of Canadian GDP and contribute over750,000 jobs to the Canadian economy. The resourcesectors are also a significant part of Canada’s tradeportfolio, accounting for nearly half of all Canadiangoods exported in 2009. The economic importanceof these resources to Canada is obvious. What needsto be addressed is how we can develop a strategy toensure that these resources not only continue to generatethe large amounts of wealth that we have seen, but alsothat this is done so in a manner that ensures a resilientand sustainable future, and from all standpoints:economic, environmental, and social.To date, there has been a relative absence of attention onthe role that innovation has played in Canada’s resourcesectors. It is clear that advancing a culture and practiceof innovation in Canada’s resource sectors is vital toensuring positive contributions to the economy and theoverall well-being of Canada. To achieve this , leadersfrom the Canadian mining, forestry, oil and gas andenergy sectors from across Canada must come togetherto help formulate an understanding of the ways in whichinnovation can be made an essential component of ourresource industries.5
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Page 3: Contents5.8.12.13.15.18.21.Introduc
Page 7 and 8: OverviewOn October 22, 2010, the Pu
Page 9 and 10: PeopleInnovation is driven by peopl
Page 11 and 12: Vicky Sharpe, Sustainable Developme
Page 13: ConclusionThe portrayal of Canada
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Page 20: Thank You To Our Partners

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