Investments in superclusters to create more than 50,000 jobs

The government is pouring in $950million, and the private sector will match the amount

BY Adelle Chua 20 Feb. 2018

More than 50,000 jobs over the next 10 years are expected to be generated by a $950 million investment from the government, which will be matched dollar for dollar by the private sector under the Innovation Superclusters Initiative.

The superclusters represent more than 450 businesses, 60 post-secondary institutions and 180 other participants in sectors that cover 78 percent of Canada’s economy – according to a report issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

“With the Superclusters Initiative, we bet on Canadians. We looked at what we did well across our great nation, and we asked industry, academia and NGOs how we could do it better,” said the minister for information, science and economic development, Navdeep Bains.

According to the release, the winning superclusters are:

The Ocean Supercluster (based in Atlantic Canada) will use innovation to improve competitiveness in Canada's ocean-based industries, including fisheries, oil and gas, and clean energy
The SCALE.AI Supercluster will make Canada a world-leading exporter by building intelligent supply chains through artificial intelligence and robotics
The Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster (based in Ontario) will connect Canada's technology strengths to our manufacturing industry to make us a world manufacturing leader in the economy of tomorrow
The Protein Industries Supercluster (based in the Prairies) will make Canada a leading source for plant proteins and help feed the world
The Digital Technology Supercluster (based in British Columbia) will use big data and digital technologies to unlock new potential in important sectors like healthcare, forestry, and manufacturing.

Having women and under-represented groups is a priority for the superclusters. The initiative will also aim to transform regional economies and develop job-creating superclusters of innovation.

“Scientists in these fields and others can look forward to expanding their research horizons in partnership with their academic peers, businesses, entrepreneurs and members of the non-profit community," said Kirsty Duncan, minister of science and minister of sport and persons with disabilities.

“SCALE.AI will drive economic growth, create highly-skilled jobs and boost our talent pool, putting AI at the service of all Canadians," added Louis Roy and Hélène Desmarais, Co-Presidents, SCALE.AI Supercluster.