Objective 2: Promote Our Capabilities, Strengths & Advantages

Promote Energy, Science & Technology

Advance Trade & Investment Develop Transportation Linkages Promote Immigration Promote Tourism Promote Energy, Science & Technology Advance International Education

Innovation is a vital element of economic growth and development and it opens the door to higher living standards and a better quality of life. This premise is fundamental to both the Government of Canada's Innovation Strategy and Manitoba's Action Strategy for Economic Growth and the Innovation Framework for Manitoba. In order to have a successful, innovative economy, we need to foster research and development (R&D), which in turn creates the knowledge that ultimately leads to innovation.

Over the past three years, the Province has forged new alliances with entrepreneurs, researchers and the investment community and has supported a 70% increase in R&D activity since 2001.

To support these efforts, we must do everything we can to attract the best international scientists to study, research and immigrate here. We must also be proactive in attracting international venture capital to foster and grow investment to provide the spin-off enterprises that are founded by researchers who commercialize their inventions. These enterprises are today's exporters and tomorrow's employers.

The Government of Manitoba is focussing its efforts to encourage R&D in three of the most promising growth areas of our economy: Life Sciences | Clean Energy; and Climate Change

Life Sciences

Manitoba is already home to an impressive and internationally recognized, dedicated pool of expertise in biomedical and agricultural research. The advantages of a cost-effective business environment and the unique research infrastructure located in our various universities, research institutes, and government laboratories have attracted a large number of corporations, venture capital firms and suppliers to Manitoba. All of this is underscored by Ernst & Young's Resurgence: Global Biotechnology Report 2004, which ranks Manitoba's biotechnology sector the fastest growing in Canada.

The Province has aligned itself internationally with other jurisdictions that have complementary capabilities. In 2004, the Province took steps to increase collaboration with international life sciences partners by signing two partnering agreements. The first, signed in February 2004, was a Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Innovation, Economic and Entrepreneurship Development with the State of Georgia. The second, signed in June 2004, was a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Minnesota to create a north-south biosciences corridor. These cooperative agreements reinforce Manitoba's position as a strategic location for life sciences-related business activities.

Clean Energy Technologies

Concerns about the rising cost and security of fossil fuels and their impact on the environment have accelerated the rollout of new, clean technologies and products around the world.

The Province's early commitment to meeting the Kyoto standards on emission reductions has positioned Manitoba as a leader in clean energy technology. Whether it is new generation hydro, ethanol, wind power, hydrogen, or ground source heat pumps, Manitoba is a key player in the expansion of this vital industry.

Positioning ourselves internationally will further our reputation as a leader in clean, reliable and renewable energy sources. The Province has already taken some significant steps in this regard:

• In September 2003, the Province signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Iceland to explore opportunities for joint initiatives in hydrogen development.

• The Province has been a key participant in discussions with the states of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa in developing this region as a world leader in diversified energy production and renewable energy development.

• In the Spring of 2004, the Province actively participated in the Western Governors' Association's (WGA) North American Energy Summit that resulted in a resolution to develop a clean and diversified energy initiative for Western North America and is a member of the WGA's Clean and Diverse Energy Advisory Committee.

• The Province has played a key role in bring together a consortium of private sector companies in Manitoba that are dedicated to the development and use of sustainable sources of energy around the world. The Energy Services Alliance of Manitoba (ESAM) offers a full range of services to help other regions of the world develop solutions to their own energy needs.

The Government of Manitoba is also a key champion for an east-west electrical grid that will facilitate the transfer of clean electric power to other parts of Canada.

Climate Change

Scientists predict that Manitoba will be among those regions earliest and most severely affected by climate change. The Government of Manitoba was the first province to consult with citizens on climate change and has now adopted the Climate Change Action Plan - 2002: Kyoto and Beyond - A plan of action to meet and exceed Manitoba's Kyoto targets. Manitoba celebrated the Kyoto Protocol coming into effect by announcing an Action Plan on Kyoto Accord Implementation.

The Province is a world leader in developing proposals and projects to address climate change; our example allows greater influence in other regions and the developing world. The Province is a strong advocate in the U.S. and other countries to halt climate change, especially through the use of renewable energy sources and by reducing emissions.

Strategic Actions

The Government of Manitoba will:

• Enhance investments in research, innovation and growth in our knowledge-based industries (e.g., development of clusters and strategic alliances with international interests), with specific attention to the life sciences sector. The Innovation Framework for Manitoba outlines the Province's innovation targets that include, for example:

  • Doubling provincial research investments by 2010;

  • Doubling the level of available venture capital by 2007;

  • Creating one spin-off company for every $10 million spent on R&D;

  • Increasing the number of biotechnology companies by 50% by 2007; and

  • Raising the number of new media and information technology companies by 25% by 2007.

• Work with Manitoba Hydro, industry, and other governments to facilitate new hydro power exports, and to develop new emerging renewable energy such as wind power, micro-hydro, ethanol and geothermal.

• Develop the Manitoba Climate Trust, which will break new ground in forging potential international links for greenhouse gas emission reduction projects.

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