TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 26, 2016) - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Canadian innovations will be showcased this week during a gathering of leaders from the Western Hemisphere.
The sixth Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) will promote made-in-Canada innovations in key economic sectors. They include clean technology, advanced manufacturing, information and communications technology, life sciences and financial services.

The week-long event launched today with a keynote address from the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. More than 50 senior public officials representing 24 countries throughout the Americas are attending the event, which is hosted by the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.

Representatives from South Korea, Israel and Germany, whose economies owe their growth to innovation, are also participating.

The event is an opportunity for Canada to encourage new investments, exports and partnerships throughout the Americas. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate how Canadian businesses, knowledge institutions and governments collaborate to turn ideas into innovative solutions that have a global impact. Finally, the event is an opportunity for Canada to highlight how the Government's Innovation Agenda will create the conditions that result in well-paying jobs for the middle class, growth across all industries and a better quality of life for all Canadians.

Delegates at the event will visit innovation hubs in Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton and the Niagara region. They will also explore opportunities to collaborate on issues, such as climate change and global health, that affect the Pan-American community of nations.

Quotes

"Countries in the Western Hemisphere are blessed with an abundance of natural resources. But we cannot rely on them alone. Our countries must work together to drive economic growth through innovation, especially during a time of rapid change brought on by globalization, technology and climate change. These challenges transcend national borders. But we also have an opportunity to work as a community of nations to turn these challenges into opportunities and seize the future. That is the purpose of the Americas Competitiveness Exchange."

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Through our international collaboration and partnerships, we are boosting entrepreneurship and strengthening our economies, helping businesses to grow, compete and create jobs. When we work together to support and foster a creative and entrepreneurial society in each of our countries, we help to strengthen the global market, and improve the lives of our citizens."

- The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

"The path to innovation begins with a strong and fully supported culture of science and research. The Government of Canada continues to demonstrate how it values science by making significant investments that promote research excellence and by encouraging dialogue among scientists and innovators. Forums such as ACE provide us with tremendous opportunities to expand the conversation to include our global partners, to learn from each other and to collectively address issues such as the under-representation of women in the sciences. By doing so, we are taking a significant step in ensuring greater participation in research by a diverse range of people. Science is, after all, everybody's business."

- The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

Quick facts

• ACE tours are a joint initiative of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network, the Organization of American States, and the U.S. Department of Commerce and Department of State, in partnership with the host government.
• Previous ACE events have taken place in the U.S., Mexico and Argentina.
• This ACE tour will showcase six different clusters: information and communications technology, clean tech, agri-food, financial technology, advanced manufacturing and life sciences.

Associated links

• Sixth Americas Competitiveness Exchange website

• Backgrounder: 2016 North American Leaders' Summit

• Statement: Canada to host sixth Americas Competitiveness Exchange

Follow Minister Bains on social media.

Twitter: @MinisterISED