Funding will help the Ontario-based supercluster create more than 13,500 jobs over 10 years

OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to growing the economy, creating good jobs and keeping Canada competitive. That is why the Government is bringing together small, medium-sized and large companies, academic institutions and not-for-profit organizations to generate bold ideas under the Innovation Superclusters Initiative.

Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced the signing of an agreement to invest up to nearly $230 million, matched dollar for dollar by the private sector, in the Ontario-based Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster (NGen), a group of businesses, post-secondary institutions and non-profits working together to make Canada a world leader in advanced manufacturing.

The funding agreement means NGen can move forward with activities to build up next-generation manufacturing capabilities, such as advanced robotics and 3D printing, while ensuring "Made in Canada" will symbolize excellence in innovative manufacturing worldwide. It is projected that this supercluster will create more than 13,500 jobs and add more than $13.5 billion to Canada's economy over 10 years.

The Innovation Superclusters Initiative is a centrepiece of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to prepare Canada for the innovative jobs of today and tomorrow.

Quotes

"Our government is building on Canada's strengths in advanced manufacturing to ensure we remain competitive in the global economy. By bringing together small, medium-sized and large companies, academic institutions and not-for-profit organizations, we're making connections and stimulating innovation that will create thousands of middle-class jobs and grow the economy."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Whether it's the Internet of things, AI and machine learning, robotics, lasers, 3D printing or new materials, advanced technologies are revolutionizing the business of manufacturing. The Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster aims to leverage Canada's strengths in these fields by building collaboration among manufacturing and technology companies, large and small, our world-class research, education and innovation networks, and business services. Through its Innovation Superclusters Initiative, the federal government will help to boost the competitiveness of our manufacturing sector, support the emergence of new global technology champions and create high-paying job opportunities for Canadians in Canada."
– Jayson Myers, CEO, NGen

Quick facts

• Superclusters are dense areas of business activity where many middle-class jobs are created. They attract large and small companies that collaborate with universities, colleges and not-for-profit organizations to turn ideas into solutions that can be brought to market.
• The Innovation Superclusters Initiative is projected to create more than 50,000 jobs and grow Canada's GDP by more than $50 billion over the next 10 years.
• Canada's five superclusters—the Digital Technology Supercluster, the Protein Industries Canada Supercluster, the Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster (NGen), the AI-Powered Supply Chains Supercluster (SCALE AI) and the Ocean Supercluster—offer ongoing opportunities for collaboration to individuals, businesses and post-secondary institutions across the country.
• Together the five superclusters represent more than 450 businesses, 60 post-secondary institutions and 180 other participants in sectors covering 78 percent of Canada's economy.

Associated links

• Innovation Superclusters Initiative
• Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster (NGen)

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada