Unfortunately, Canadian governments have focused too much on subsidizing technology ‘creation’ by a few firms, instead of widespread technology ‘adoption’ by all firms. To improve Canadian productivity we need to pivot and support widespread technology adoption.
We should embrace a broader public vision that supports families in accessing affordable homes integrated into local community infrastructure and services.
Canada’s Science Technology and Innovation ecosystem is a derelict 60-year-old rusting ‘Knowledge Factory’ whose customers find its knowledge products irrelevant, costly, hard to access, and often vague about claimed benefits. New management is needed, writes former assistant deputy minister David Watters.
By recognizing that technology is not an end in itself, but rather only a means to assist in satisfying citizen needs, we can begin to rebalance Canada’s innovation ecosystem.
As the gathering storm of global challenges intensifies, we will need to improve the performance of our science, technology, and innovation ecosystem to adapt to and manage these risks.