The importance of fostering an innovative culture is quite clear. Two out of every three new jobs in Ontario are created in knowledge and technology-based industries. Employment of computer programmers and systems analysts has increased by nearly 14 per cent for each year since 1992. A survey sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada found that information technology and life science firms outpaced those in all other sectors in terms of job creation, sales and exports over a five-year period. Encouraging scientific discovery and innovation pays off.
Innovative firms experience more growth.
Industrial sectors with more innovative firms record better productivity and compete more successfully in world markets. To this end, we are supporting science and technology with a range of programs that encourage research and discovery. Our emphasis is on public-private sector partnerships. Each project is a three-way partnership between the province, the research institution and private sector partners. Our goal is to increase the capacity to conduct research in Ontario.