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CANADIAN RURAL PARTNERSHIP
Canada's Innovation Strategy
Workbook for Rural Participation
New Ideas New Opportunities
The Government of Canada has undertaken a major consultation on Innovation to determine how Canada can become one of the most innovative countries in the world. As part of this consultation, the Rural Secretariat organized a National Rural Innovation Summit in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, on June 7, 2002, to determine how rural, remote and northern communities can contribute to achieving Canada's goal. The Canada's Innovation Strategy - Workbook for Rural Participation was used as a tool to gather information during the Summit and on Internet. The deadline for submitting comments was August 31, 2002. Thank you for contributing to this very important initiative. The information gathered will be used to supplement the discussions during the National Innovation Summit to be held in Toronto, Ontario this Fall. The results of the Innovation consultations will be available on Industry Canada's web site at: http://www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca/cmb/innovation.nsf/
MenuE/PublicationsAndReports
Please check this page often to view meeting reports, which are posted as they become available.
| Innovation is the process through which new economic and social benefits are extracted from knowledge. The term innovation refers both to the creative process of applying knowledge and the outcome of that process… In Canada, it is part of a strategy for enhancing productivity, growth and standard of living across the country. |
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We are interested in your vision
- How will rural and remote communities help make Canada one of the world's most innovative countries?
- What concrete commitments should organizations in rural and remote communities make to improve rural performance in the area of innovation?
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" Innovation is not just high tech gadgets or space travel. Innovation means better ways to harvest crops or catch fish. It means adding value when we log our forests or mine our resources. One thing is crystal clear: this is not something governments alone can achieve. "
Hon. Allan Rock
Minister of Industry
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" We are developing an innovation strategy that will be vital to the future of Canada, and it is important that rural and remote Canadians have an opportunity to participate in the discussion.
Rural Canada has an important contribution in ensuring that Canada thrives as a prosperous and innovative nation. "
Hon. Andy Mitchell
Secretary of State
(Rural Development)
(Federal Economic
Development Initiative for
Northern Ontario)
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Organized by the Rural Secretariat, this grassroots consultation is a fine opportunity for you to reflect upon and express your views on fundamental Innovation issues affecting the future of your region and Canada's prosperity. In the light of your community's specific realities, take advantage of this opportunity to identify actions that will, among other things, support the renewal of human resources and skills in our communities, provide our rural businesses with viable business opportunities and maximize the long-term potential of our resource-based industries.
It is our hope that this consultation will serve as a forum for discussion and provide you with an opportunity to express your vision of an Innovative rural Canada that constantly strives for excellence and is ready to meet today's challenges with a view to facilitating the development of Canada's rural communities and Innovation.
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You have the floor!
| Your input is essential to gaining a better understanding of rural realities and building a stronger and more inclusive society for all Canadians. |
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A vibrant consultation: you have the floor!
Within the framework of this participatory initiative, the Rural Secretariat organized the Rural Innovation Summit held June 7, 2002, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Over 100 Canadian rural development stakeholders will have an opportunity to exchange ideas and action strategies for jointly strengthening and ensuring the success of the rural communities of tomorrow.
Gathering your ideas on and your vision of Innovation in rural Canada is important, and this document has been developed for that purpose. It is available on the Rural Secretariat Web site (www.rural.gc.ca) so that Canadians unable to participate in the Rural Innovation Summit can make their views known. Please send your opinions, comments and ideas to us by mail, over the Internet or by fax (1-880-884-9899) no later than August 31, 2002.
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Mailing address:
Rural Secretariat
1525 Carling Avenue
3rd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0C5
Fax: 1-800-884-9899
E-mail: rs@agr.gc.ca
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The Objectives of this consultation
What we hope to accomplish |
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Define and gain a better understanding of an innovative rural Canada, its strengths and its issues, as well as the opportunities that it presents to both communities and governments.
- Communicate the results of this consultation in order to strengthen the coordination of innovation in rural communities; government to adopt a more integrated approach and share effective strategies with all Canadians.
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Establish a synergy between governments and rural communities to reach a common vision of the goals and objectives to be achieved at the local, regional and national levels.
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Demonstrate the benefits of setting up vibrant and productive partnerships between the various sectors (private, government and community) of rural communities.
- Encourage rural communities to make innovation a priority in Canada.
- Sustain rural communities' interest in and active participation at the National Summit on Innovation in the fall of 2002.
- Influence government's actions and contribute to the development of a national rural policy framework.
- Position Canada as a world leader in innovation in rural communities.
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Innovation, Commitment and Excellence—
Canada rural realities
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It's about people
" People with the skills and the opportunities they need to fulfill their individual potential. People who live in a society that is strong enough to help the weak and smart enough to invest in the young. People who are ready to see their country take its place among the leading nations of the world -- and to do so on its own terms. Achieving excellence is about people living fulfilling lives, using their energies and talents to their fullest.
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On some of the toughest terrain in the world, we have built the best society on the face of the earth. And now we face a new challenge -- the challenge of a changing economy. And just as we have met every challenge in the past, we will meet this one, together -- by investing in our people, by sharpening our skills, by enriching our communities. "
Hon. Allan Rock
Minister of Industry
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In February 2002, the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Human Resources Development published Canada's Innovation Strategy, presented in two papers: Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity and Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians.
These papers announced the launch of a broad national consultation on issues that are crucial to Canadian families. For more information, you can access these documents on the Internet at: http://www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca
What does the term innovation mean to rural Canadians?
What new reaction can we have to rapid changes and profound transformations being experienced by Canadian society, particularly in rural communities, from globalization to changes in public management, environmental restrictions, the consequences of urban development, the rise of the knowledge-based economy and demographic changes?
What are the strengths of and challenges facing rural communities with respect to innovation?
What measures should be taken to promote innovation?
How can we measure our performance in the area of innovation?
The basic concept of innovation is nothing new. However, our understanding of innovation is changing. The examples of innovation given on page 13 show how three innovative rural communities have turned novel ideas into concrete actions.
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Why is it important to innovate?
Innovation, Commitment and Excellence are now seen as the keys to enhanced productivity and therefore as factors at the very foundation of economic growth in our country.
In its discussions on innovation and its search for new action strategies, the Canadian government acknowledges the need to view Excellence as a national value that we must cultivate strategically.
Excellence is as much a concern for small rural businesses and the communities in remote, northern or urban-rural fringe areas in which they operate as it is for the major industrial sectors at the heart of our cities. Fostering excellence within rural communities is not really new. The know-how of rural Canadians has been a fact of life for a long time. The importance of a job well done and the constant concern for quality are well-known values in rural communities. What was once seen as a rural tradition could definitely become one of the best-kept secrets of tomorrow's success.
Throughout Canada, communities are striving to succeed in a changing economic, social and political environment. Leadership, the establishment of relations, networking and learning are key factors for rural communities in transition, enabling them to pool their resources, personnel and specialized knowledge, solve problems, access a wide range of learning sources, engage in cooperative development and disseminate information.
According to the Government of Canada, the components of the national innovation system come together at the community level. This means that local community participation is essential to demonstrate the comparative benefits of a rural area and to strive actively to gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace for this same rural area and for Canada as a whole.
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Some facts about rural Canada's contributions...
- The resource sector accounts for 25% of the GDP, and
- 40% of Canadian exports
- 60% of SME start-ups are in rural communities
- 95% of our natural and environmental resources are located in rural Canada.
These assets, derived from the recreation and tourism potential as well as the know-how of rural regions, continue to occupy a growing place in Canada's economy and contribute substantially to Canadian prosperity.
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Knowledge based economy can be described as follows: there is an increasing need to rely on highly skilled workers whose skills are not exclusively related to science and technology but also to control, management and coordination of tasks. Knowledge is complex and its recombination or fusion with existing pieces of knowledge is increasingly required in order to innovate. (OECD: 1996)
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The youth exodus and the ageing population are causing a skills shortage for the knowledge-based economy and opportunities for growth are therefore unlimited.
The Government of Canada has launched a program that could meet these challenges, but it cannot succeed on its own. It is relying on the collaboration of rural communities to explore new opportunities through innovation in such areas as health, the environment, skills, knowledge and infrastructure. Rural Canada must be inclusive, while developing strategies and action plans for increasing its communities' capacity for social innovation.
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Key issues
Rural communities, whether located in northern or remote areas or near major cities, regularly discuss the issues that are of particular concern to them, such as youth exodus, population ageing, jobs, unemployment, access to university education, average income, government transfer payments, health, and so on.
In a knowledge-based economy and in a society that prizes innovation, the ability to learn is an undeniable guarantee of success. Do regional communities have the leverage to increase their abilities to develop a qualified and diversified workforce in a number of technical sectors facing the threat of labour shortages?
How can the promotion of university or college studies contribute to the renewal of local skills?
And what about the challenge of illiteracy still facing too many families at a time when access to knowledge, more than ever, determines how much money any individual will earn?
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What are the existing or desirable strengths of innovation in your community?
Despite the lack of precise data on rural Innovation, how can you support the government in the evaluation of innovative activities in your community?
Is it possible to draw an accurate picture that would allow for a comparison of the levels of development and performance of urban and rural communities and between Canada's three rural regions (Metro-adjacent, Heartland, Northern and Remote)?
In the light of your best practices, your community's assets and strengths and the regional differences that exist in rural Canada, in your view, what are the essential conditions for promoting innovation?
How is it possible to promote excellence while ensuring inclusiveness?
How can human resources be developed or adapted to prepare them for the rigours of competitiveness?
How can we ensure that the Innovation Strategy will address the real social, environmental, cultural and economic issues facing rural communities?
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" I hope Canadians will be part of this strategy. Please talk about it and let's work together to develop a collective vision to take action to secure the future, our children's future and our country's future. "
Hon. Jane Stewart
Minister of Human Resources Development
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Canada's Innovation Strategy is inclusive.
How can we better encourage skills development among members of the First Nations, persons with disabilities, official language minority communities and all the communities facing the risk of exclusion in rural Canada?
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Conclusion
In principle, the spin-offs of Innovation should benefit all Canadians equitably, regardless of age, sex, ethnic origin, mother tongue, religion, socioeconomic status, etc. Moreover, responsibility for contributing to Innovation should be shared by all Canadians.
According to Minister Allan Rock, " We should work together to build on the successes of the country and its regions, in order to meet the challenges that arise and ensure that Canada assumes a prosperous place in the global economy. The challenges presented by innovation must be taken up, the Minister adds, and the commitment of rural Canadians is vital to success in this area. "
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Accordingly, all government actions should take into account the realities of both rural and urban communities. This consultation paper was developed to facilitate the consideration of rural Canada in the development of broad national policies and strategies.
Healthy rural communities must be able to count on and conserve their resources, and participate in the creation of favourable conditions and collaborative processes that will make a significant contribution to building a stronger, innovative country that performs better economically.
That is why your opinion is so important.
Thank you!
Profiles of rural communities: examples of Innovation
| Commitment and Innovation success stories |
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Project
Organization |
Project Description |
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Netukulimk Geographic Information System (GIS) Management Project
Jason Pierro
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This project developed a geo-referenced database mapping, utilizing GIS technology, to integrate community planning activities with the community's Traditional Environmental knowledge.
This project addresses two of the Micmac community's key concerns: promoting sustainable management of the land and water for future generations; and preserving the knowledge of elders in this area. This technology will have been very helpful to the community in incorporating the secular knowledge of their elders into the planning of natural resource conservation activities.
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Skills
Abilities
Strengthening of communities
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Certified Literate Community
Marg Rose |
The rural community of Beausejour, Manitoba is undertaking a literacy project that will enable it to market itself as a viable option for economic development and for a better quality of life. It will also be developing a Certified Literate Community model for other communities to follow. A better economic and social infrastructure will be achieved by increasing public awareness of the problem of low literacy and its impacts; encouraging the use of plain language by organizations; and strengthening community capacity building.
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Innovation
Environment
Strengthening of communities
Adult human resources
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Cooperative education and community development
Daniel Lambert
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This project will make it possible to put into place the conditions required to start up a new cooperative school.
The school will enable young people and adults to receive training that is adapted to their needs while allowing them to remain in their community.
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Youth
Adult human resources
Strengthening of communities
Abilities
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In 2010, what will an innovative rural Canada be
in the world's most innovative country?
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Key themes of Canada's Innovation Strategy and avenues of discussion
1. In your view, what is an innovative community and what are the three main characteristics of an innovative rural community? Are there any differences in this regard between metro-adjacent areas, heartland areas, and northern and remote areas?
2. What significant events have you noted in your surroundings in the last five years that, in your view, have had and/or will have an impact on Canada's quest to become one of the most innovative countries in the world?
3. What are the three main assets (the three main strengths) within your community that can support the Innovation Strategy?
4. Can you identify/describe examples of good practices and innovative approaches born out of your community in the past five years?
- In how the development and strengthening of your community is planned;
- In actions to address your concerns about major social issues such as illiteracy, drug and alcohol addiction, family violence, etc.;
- In your strategies to support entrepreneurship development;
- In the integration and use of new technologies.
5. If you wanted to measure a community's innovation capacity, how would you do so?
6. What could prevent your community from being innovative? Or, what are the obstacles limiting your community's potential for innovation?
7. How does one ensure the ongoing commitment of rural communities in the implementation of the Innovation Strategy?
Key themes of Canada's Innovation Strategy and avenues of discussion
8. With respect to human resources, what are the three most important challenges that rural communities must meet in order to participate fully in the knowledge-based economy? Are there any differences in this regard between metro-adjacent areas, heartland areas, and northern and remote areas?
9. What human resources can your community rely on to participate in the knowledge-based economy?
10. What strategies are used or would be necessary to promote the acquisition of tools vital to the active participation of your community's members in the knowledge-based economy?
11. Does your community have the resources and skills required to ensure its continued viability? If so, what are these resources, these strengths? If not, what strategies would be needed to meet these needs?
12. What strategies ensure or would ensure the inclusion of all individual members of your community in the knowledge-based economy?
Notes
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Date Modified: 2002 10 07
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