Message from the Chair

As a trade based economy, Canada must continue to invest significantly in research. Research and development is key to continuing the success of our industries as they develop new and improved technologies, products and services for use around the world. Within that context, government labs play a very important role in bridging the gap between long-term university research and more development-focused activities traditionally undertaken by the private sector.

The technologies being developed at CRC, and in the ICT sector as a whole, are predominantly enabling technologies. Enabling technologies have an impact on all other sectors by allowing them to become more efficient and innovative themselves through the use of technology. This makes the ICT sector one of the most important sectors for improving productivity and the future of the Canadian economy. Over the past year, CRC has once again demonstrated its tremendous value to government and industry by making significant progress in areas such as health, environment and mining through collaboration with other agencies and government departments on enabling technologies.

The unique combination of expertise at CRC is what makes the organization so essential. As a government leader in commercialization, CRC has demonstrated the ability to take ideas and turn them into successful technologies and applications. But CRC also plays a very important role in sharing that expertise with its partners, which include government departments, academia, the private sector and international organizations.

Collaboration is the key to CRC’s success. As you will see in this document, CRC continues its success in working with partners to the benefit of all.

I am proud to have been involved with CRC for many years. I would like to thank Industry Canada and CRC’s clients, staff and Board of Directors for their commitment, and I look forward to working together to help ensure continued innovation into the future.

Alan E. Winter
Chair, CRC Board of Directors