FPInnovations: budget 2017 shows support for innovation

Pierre Lapointe, FPInnovations president and CEO, welcomed finance minister Bill Morneau’s commitment to create innovation superclusters as a driving force to build the Canadian economy.

In his budget, Morneau announced an investment of up to $950 million over five years to support business-led innovation superclusters that will enhance Canada’s competitiveness globally by focusing on highly innovative industries. In addition, Morneau announced significant support to increase the use of wood as a greener substitute material in infrastructure projects and to encourage the development, demonstration and adoption of clean technology in the natural resources sector.

“FPInnovations welcomes the Innovation Superclusters and Clean Tech programs. As the leading Canadian forest sector innovation organization, we are looking forward to working with officials and develop proposals that meet and surpass expectations in regards to innovation de-risking and scaling-up for our sector,” said Lapointe. “This budget announcement will further facilitate the collaboration between research institutes, colleges and universities, governments, and industry and result in sustainable jobs to rural economies, many of whom are dependent on the forest sector.”