This item may be of interest to my Canadian readers.

January 2023 | Subscribe | Lire en français ­ ­ ­ A Year in Perspective and a Look Forward to 2023 As we embark on a new year and an expanded chapter of ICTC’s journey, Namir Anani, ICTC President and CEO, takes a moment to reflect on last year’s economic landscape, highlight ICTC’s contribution, and the opportunities that lie ahead in 2023. Despite the complex challenges that Canada’s economy faced last year and are now trickling into 2023, Canada’s digital-based economy continues to shape a sustainable, innovative, and business-growth climate in Canada. ICTC will continue to drive positive change in 2023 as we explore new research, policies, and capacity building programs to advance climate solutions, assist in growing the economy, create new employment prospects for all people in Canada, tackle the social implications of the digital landscape, and support building a cybersafe and secure economy. Read Namir’s full statement here. ­ Find out what’s ahead for ICTC in 2023! ­ ­ ­ ­ Our Publications Canadian Agri-Food Technology Sowing the Seeds for Tomorrow ­ “A sustainable, competitive food and agriculture system is foundational to resilient economic growth: to meet this opportunity, Canada will need to prioritize agri-food innovation and digitization.” Digital Transformation The Next Big Leap in Healthcare ­ “The Canadian health system faces ongoing pressure to adopt new equipment and technology for improving healthcare administration and delivery: skilled talent is essential to this transition.” ­ ­ ­

Policy Updates

WIPO published the 2022 Global Innovation Index in December, which details the innovation performance of 132 economies. Canada ranked 15th overall, climbing rank for the second year in a row and returning to the top 15 for the first time since 2016. Canada ranked exceptionally well in four indicators—VC recipients, joint venture and strategic alliance deals, software spending, and university-industry R&D collaboration—but ranked poorly in indicators related to ecological sustainability, ICT access, and labour productivity growth. Globally, 2020 and 2021 data show that science and innovation investments thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, with large increases in R&D spending, IP filings, and VC deals. Four industries, in particular, experienced strong growth: ICT hardware, software and ICT services, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, and construction and industrial metals.

The Ministers of Natural Resources and Innovation published their long-awaited critical minerals strategy last month, backed by $3.8 billion in federal funding. The strategy recognizes the significance of Canada’s critical minerals to the global digital and green economies, and their strategic importance to Canada’s economic and national security interests. It highlights six strategic focus areas: exploration and R&D, responsible project development, building sustainable infrastructure, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, growing a diverse workforce, and strengthening global leadership and security. The Government of Canada will begin formal negotiations with the European Commission to become an associate member of Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe is the world’s largest science, research, and innovation collaboration program, running from 2021 to 2027 with an overall budget of $130 billion. Becoming an associate member would give Canada’s academic, research, and innovation stakeholders new opportunities to collaborate internationally and develop interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges. The United Nations Biodiversity Conference, held in Montreal, ended last month with governments around the world agreeing to a new global biodiversity framework. The framework features 23 targets for governments to achieve by 2030, including effective conservation and management of at least 30% of the world’s land, coastal areas, and oceans; halving global food waste; phasing out subsidies that harm biodiversity by at least $500 billion USD per year; and mobilizing at least $200 billion USD of biodiversity-related funding per year. While the financial targets are not legally binding and the pace of implementation remains uncertain, the agreement is yet another sign of the growing importance of clean technologies and sustainability-related jobs and skills. ­ ­ ­ Elevating Tech Talent

ICTC Partners with Magnet on CDAP to Foster Digital Adoption and Career Development ICTC has partnered with Magnet on the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) to support the delivery of Boost Your Business Technology and Youth Boost initiatives, foster career development, and help employers connect with young talent. The CDAP Boost Your Business Technology grant gives small and medium-sized businesses access to digital advisors, up to $15,000 to develop a digital adoption plan, and access to funded work placements. ­ Apply Now! ­

­ ­ ­

­ ICTC Events

Save the Date: Shaping an Equitable and Inclusive Post-Pandemic Recovery This February, ICTC is hosting a two-day event in Ottawa on what is needed for an equitable post-pandemic recovery, one that addresses the unique needs of marginalized and underrepresented people in the workforce, particularly in some of the hardest-hit sectors. Make 2023 resilient, inclusive, and equitable! Contact us for more details! ­ View Event Page ­ ­ ­ We’re Hiring ­ ­ Send Us Your Feedback ­ Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) 275 Slater Street, Suite 802, K1P 5H9, Ottawa ­ ­ ­ Subscribe