The presentation highlighted the recent results from the Survey of Innovation and Business Strategy, from a national and a provincial perspective. It focused on the four types of innovation as well as how advanced technology use supports innovation. The presentation also addressed the total economy by providing international and provincial comparisons from the recent results of the Gross Domestic Expenditures on Research and Development. This presentation was followed by a panel discussion with experts and audience questions.
When: Thursday, May 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Where: Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto, 475, Yonge Street, Courtyard Hall, Toronto, Ontario
Cost: Free
Registration is closed.
Presenter
Wayne R. Smith, Chief Statistician of Canada, Statistics Canada
Wayne R. Smith completed an Honours BA and Master of Economics at Carleton University in Ottawa. He joined Statistics Canada in 1981. From 2004 to 2010, as Assistant Chief Statistician, he was responsible for a variety of programs and surveys. In September 2010, by order-in-council, Mr. Smith was appointed interim Chief Statistician, and confirmed as Chief Statistician of Canada in January 2011.
Moderator
Greg Peterson, Director, Investment, Science and Technology Division, Statistics Canada
Greg Peterson holds a bachelor’s degree (Economics) from Concordia University and a master’s degree from Queen’s University. He joined Statistics Canada in 1990 and worked in many subject-matter areas that cover manufacturing, culture and tourism and retail trade. Since 2011, Mr. Peterson is responsible for a statistical program that measures science, technology and innovation, the digital economy, capital spending, building permits and property values.
Panelists
Joe Leibovitz, Senior Policy Advisor, Strategic Policy, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, and Ministry of Research and Innovation
Joe Leibovitz holds a Ph.D. (Economic Geography) from the University of Toronto. In his current position, he specializes in innovation policy and economic competitiveness. Mr. Leibovitz was previously a senior policy analyst for innovation and industrial policy in the Scottish Government, and held academic appointments at the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where he conducted research in many areas such as regional economic development, industrial clusters, and innovation systems.
Richard McDonald, Distinguished IT Architect and Technical Executive, IBM Canada
Richard McDonald has 34 years of IT experience. He designs innovative solutions for some of IBM's largest clients to help them address business and IT challenges and opportunities. He has developed methods for helping clients identify innovation opportunities within IT. His technical expertise centres on telco and mobile computing. Mr. McDonald sits on the Scientific Advisory Council for the Southern Ontario Smarter Computing Innovation Platform.
Greg Spencer, Research Associate, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Greg Spencer holds a Ph.D. (Economic Geography) and a Master of Science (Planning) from the University of Toronto as well as a bachelor of arts (Geography) from Bishop’s University. He is a Research Associate with the Martin Prosperity Institute, a think tank within the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He also serves as the manager of Local IDEAs (Indicator Database for Economic Analysis) at the Munk School of Global Affairs. Mr. Spencer has authored numerous policy reports, academic journal articles, and book chapters on the geography of creativity and innovation in Canada and the United Kingdom.
Pierre Therrien, Director, Market Structure and Framework Policy Analysis, Industry Canada
Pierre Therrien leads a group of research economists studying, among other subjects, the drivers of business innovation, the impact of alternate financing for young innovative firms, and the role of competition for a growing, innovative Canadian economy. Over the past 15 years, Mr. Therrien held various positions within Industry Canada where he directed and authored several economic research papers using Statistics Canada data.
Louise Earl, Section Chief, Investment, Science and Technology Division, Statistics Canada
Louise Earl has a Master of Arts from Queen’s University, Kingston. In her current position, she is responsible for producing indicators of research and development activities, innovation and business strategy in the private sector. Mrs. Earl’s ongoing research is focused on studying low and non-innovative firms.