At a time when Canada trails its peers in both productivity and R&D investments, today’s announcement by Finance Minister, Eric Girard, marks an exciting new approach to innovation policy in Quebec.

The creation of industrial laboratories in innovative industries with high economic potential will help bridge the gap between the public and private sectors, which is essential for the commercialization of new ideas and technologies. It will also help create the conditions for boosting intellectual property.

As the Government of Canada prepares for the April 16th budget, Quebec’s initiative should serve as an example of what is needed to compete and win in today’s global economy.