5. New Jobs for New Times – Securing Canada’s Future Through Innovation
WHEREAS a key to prosperity in the 21st Century is innovation based on on-going research and development (R&D), a strong ethic that respects basic and independent research and experimentation, and leveraging of Canada’s comparative advantages;
WHEREAS recent studies warn that Canada underperforms in this area, harming its trading competitiveness;
WHEREAS science and innovation require government support in the form of stable funding, science advisors, subject experts and modern infrastructure within a culture of limited government interference;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada develop, as a cornerstone of its economic program, a science-based Innovation Strategy to address economic and social needs as part of its efforts to support middle-class job creation;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this strategy reaffirm Canada’s commitment to basic research based on independence from government interference and freedom of communication; be guided by peer-reviewed evidence and global best practices; be inclusive, including strategies for small and medium-sized businesses, remote communities and resource extraction industries; and be environmentally sustainable;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this strategy adopts an integrated, long-term approach that employs experts from academia, government and business; engages the social innovation community; and works with the educational system to develop high-quality researchers and effective entrepreneurs;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the strategy aggressively capitalize on innovation gains by pursuing the negotiation of new trade agreements to facilitate innovation.
Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)