Ontario Driving Homegrown Innovation in Key Sectors
- Stephen Lecce, MPP
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $75 million in 162 research and innovation projects across the province through its competitive research programs, the Early Researcher Awards and the Ontario Research Fund. This investment will protect Ontario’s long-term economic growth, fostering a skilled labour force and enabling discoveries that save and improve residents’ lives.
“Our government is investing in made-in-Ontario research that will protect our economy, jobs and workers,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “By driving cutting-edge research at our world class postsecondary institutions, hospitals, and research institutions, people in Ontario, Canada and around the world will benefit from discoveries made in our own backyard.”
Today’s investment will help Ontario’s institutions to attract and hire top talent, purchase the latest equipment and technologies and support key industries, such as agriculture, auto manufacturing, information technology and the life sciences.
The Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative, an Ontario-led initiative that will significantly enhance biomanufacturing capacity across Canada, received $45 million through this investment. Coordinated through the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub, this investment in the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative is led by the University of Ottawa and will support expansion of facilities affiliated with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and McMaster University. The work done through the cooperative will help the province protect itself from future pandemics, build a highly skilled biomanufacturing workforce, and expand access to clinical trials for new lifesaving treatments.
“Researchers across Ontario have launched dozens of innovative life sciences companies, but we haven’t had enough local biomanufacturing capacity to support them,” said Dr. Duncan Stewart, senior scientist at The Ottawa Hospital, professor at the University of Ottawa and lead for the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative. “This investment from the Government of Ontario will help to address this critical need, so that our researchers and companies can get to the next level and bring their lifesaving products to people in Ontario and around the world.”
Ontario’s research sector plays a vital role in cementing the province as a global leader and innovator in critical sectors. By investing in Ontario-made research, the government is protecting the province’s workers, innovation, and wellbeing.
Quick Facts
Since 2018, Ontario has invested $907 million in 1,665 research projects, leveraging nearly $1.5 billion in funding from federal and other third-party contributions. Ontario’s research investments have:
Supported the creation of more than 120,000 training opportunities for researchers and students across the province.
Contributed to 406 patents being granted, 76 spin-off companies being created and 594 new jobs at those spin-offs.
The Ontario government is supporting the province’s innovators in developing, managing and commercializing their intellectual property through Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON), a government agency that was created in 2022.
The $45 million dollar investment for the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative will provide:
$27 million for the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to expand its Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre
$18 million for McMaster University to expand its Fitzhenry Vector Laboratory
Quotes
"The University of Ottawa applauds the Government of Ontario for this vital investment in research and innovation through its Life Sciences Strategy. As a key partner in Ottawa’s thriving life sciences ecosystem, we’re committed to supporting collaborative initiatives like the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative, in partnership with our colleagues at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and McMaster University. Together, we are building the capacity, talent, and infrastructure needed to ensure Ontario remains at the forefront of health research and biomanufacturing."
- Dr. Julie St-Pierre
Vice President Research and Innovation, University of Ottawa
"This provincial investment in The Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative will allow McMaster and its partners in Ottawa to strengthen Ontario’s biomanufacturing capacity and better stock Canada’s health innovation pipeline. Already, our researchers are working together to turn their bold ideas into impactful commercial ventures that catalyze both economic growth and better health outcomes for Canadians."
- Andy Knights
Vice-President, Research, McMaster University
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