McMaster welcomed national leaders from across the research, education, business and community sectors for a timely conversation on the future of Canada’s science and innovation ecosystem.
Hosted by McMaster’s Office of the Vice-President, Research, the Canadian Collaborative for Society, Innovation and Policy (CCSIP) and Mitacs, the event began with a ‘sense-making’ session and dialogue, where participants used a mission-oriented innovation approach to help shape a proposed strategic framework for Canada’s science and innovation ecosystem.
Participants then gathered to deepen their learnings in a fishbowl-style discussion with over 60 members of Canada’s research and innovation community. Seven speakers began the conversation in an inner circle, with attendees invited to step in to contribute their own ideas as the discussion evolved.
Designed to move beyond traditional consultation, the session encouraged collective reflection and strategic insight into the partnerships, policies and investments needed to strengthen Canada’s future prosperity and impact.
“Discussions like these can help us build the connections and shared understanding needed to tackle the problems facing Canadians today and in the years ahead,” said Martin Horn, McMaster’s deputy vice-president, Research, in his opening remarks.
Sandra Lapointe, a Professor of Philosophy at McMaster and director of CCSIP, moderated the discussion, noting that Canada lacks a national science and innovation strategy.
“That’s the premise behind this event: how do we build a strategy that fosters a more connected, inclusive and resilient innovation ecosystem that benefits Canadians?” she said.
Each speaker discussed emerging opportunities and challenges shaping Canada’s innovation capacity, including artificial intelligence, talent development, innovation adoption, scientific leadership, public trust, reconciliation and systems governance.
“Innovation is a process, not just an outcome. It’s about building capabilities, not pre-engineering a system,” said Stephen Lucas, CEO of Mitacs, who emphasized the need for more investment in Canadian talent and leadership.
Marwa Abdou, Director of Research at the Canada Chamber of Commerce, echoed the importance of supporting the next generation of innovators.
“Canada is knowledge-rich. The problem is we get stuck on how to turn this knowledge into capability. Capability is embodied in people, not assets. We need to protect our ability to think critically, draw on emotional intelligence and approach real-world problems with creativity. These are things that cannot be quantified, so we don’t tend to focus on them, but they underpin our ability to innovate,” she said.
Speakers also emphasized the need to create a more collaborative innovation ecosystem that brings diverse viewpoints and members of the Canadian public – those who should benefit most from innovation – into the fold.
“It’s not that we lack innovation and new ideas,” said Shiri Breznitz, Professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.
“We need to find ways to ensure that everyone in Canadian society benefits from these innovations.”
Discussions will continue next month at the Strategic Science and Innovation Leadership Retreat on Mission-Oriented Innovation and Societal Prosperity in Quebec, hosted by the CCSIP.