INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Ontario's Regional Economic Development and Innovation Newsletter. The newsletter is published by ONRIS and jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology. The purpose of the newsletter is to share news and information on research initiatives, publications, and events related to regional economic development and innovation in Ontario. It is intended to create a digital forum for information sharing and dissemination across the research community, the private sector and government.

***WILL YOU BE ONE OF OUR REGIONAL REPORTERS?***

Yes, you! In an effort to improve our coverage of Ontario's regional economies in this newsletter, we are looking for a few people who are 'plugged in' to the latest local economic development and innovation happenings in their regions. All we ask is that you send us a short message once a month highlighting recent news and research initiatives from your region - please forward items that you would like to share with newsletter recipients, as well as other items of interest, to: onris.progris@utoronto.ca.

In addition, please forward this newsletter to anyone you think will find it of value. We look forward to collaborating with you on this initiative.This newsletter is also available on the web at: http://www.utoronto.ca/onris/newsletter.htm. Please contact onris.progris@utoronto.ca to be added to or removed from the distribution list.

The views and ideas expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Ontario Government.

This Newsletter is prepared by Matthew Lucas and David A. Wolfe

ANNOUNCEMENTS  / NEWS

Electronic Commerce in Canada

Industry Canada's E-commerce site contains a number of recent new releases.

On July 27 the federal government announced that it would proceed with the development of an e-platform service, more commonly referred to as the "secure channel."   The secure channel is a major component of the technology infrastructure that will allow citizens to access federal services over the Internet reliably and securely, and is a key part of the government s plan to get government programs and services on-line by 2004.  The government is seeking a consortium approach to bidding, which encourages companies with different areas of expertise to bid as a group, with one company assigned lead responsibility.
 
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/news2000/0727_e.html

On July 26 the federal government invited businesses to submit Expression of Interest under a new shared-cost funding program called the CANARIE E-business Virtual Clusters Program.  The $10 million, Industry Canada program will focus on projects that involve the creation of collaborations, or "virtual clusters", involving associated but geographically dispersed organization that will undertake specific E-business development projects. Projects supported under this program will focus on identifying and addressing specific opportunities and structural barriers associated with the deployment and use of the E-business solutions under development. Expressions of Interest will be accepted and evaluated on a continuing basis until March 31, 2001.

http://e-com.ic.gc.ca/english/41.html?he=y

On June 23 the governments of Canada and Manitoba announced Canada's first E-Business Service Centre.  Situated in Winnipeg the centre will be a resource for small and medium sized business trying to make the transition to the digital economy.  Funding for the pilot project, the first of its kind in Canada, is comprised of the following: $75,000 in total from Western Economic Diversification Canada representing $25,000 for the next three years, $25,000 from Industry Canada for the first year of operation and $25,000 from Manitoba Industry Trade and Mines for the first year of operation.

http://e-com.ic.gc.ca/english/20.html?he=y

Grant to London Biotechnology Incubator

On June 28th the Ontario Minister of Energy, Science and Technology announced the province will award the London Biotechnology Incubator a $5 million grant, making London one of three biotech commercialization centres, along with Toronto and Ottawa. The $5 million grant matches the grant provided by the City of London. Construction of the facility will start in November 2000 with expected completion by January 2002. About 5 early-stage companies, employing a total of about 60 people, are expected to fill the centre at that time. The province expects about 29 new biotech companies and 140 jobs to be created in five years in London.  For more information on biotechnology developments in London see: 

www.londonedc.com

SMART Toronto appoints new President

On August 2nd, the Board of Directors of SMART Toronto announced the appointment of Mitzie Hunter as President of the association.  Mitzie Hunter worked closely with SMART Toronto over the past year, and was Co-Chair of the association's Vision and Communications Task Force.  SMART Toronto's mandate is "to build Toronto as a centre for digitally enabled creation and distribution. SMART Toronto brings private and public sector interests together to create significant economic, social and cultural benefits."  For more information see:

http://www.sto.org

Measuring the Impact of Information Technology on Productivity

The Conference Board of Canada is about to launch a study of the impact of information technology adoption on Canadian productivity. The Information Technology Association of Canada is actively seeking sponsors to help underwrite this work. For more information contact Lynda Leonard at  mailto:lleonard@itac.ca


RESEARCH INITIATIVES / PUBLICATIONS

Ottawa-Hull, Edmonton, and Toronto Forecast to lead Canadian cities in Economic Growth through 2000

 According to The Conference Board of Canada's latest Metropolitan Outlook  Ottawa-Hull, Edmonton, and Toronto remain Canada's strongest metropolitan economies

http://www.conferenceboard.ca/press/2000/Metro%20Outlook%20Spring%202000.htm

Regional Economic Observer

Industry Canada's Regional Economic Observer, First Quarter 2000 is now available.  The report highlights economic developments in British Columbia, the Prairie region, Ontario,Quebec and the Atlantic region.  
 
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_ecnmy/mera/engdoc/09.html?he=y

MICRO Spring 2000

Industry Canada's Micro-Economic Policy Analysis Branch's latest Quarterly Bulletin is now available. The issue examines the topic of productivity .
 
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ra01766e.html?he=y

Monthly Trade Bulletin

Industry Canada's Monthly Trade Bulletin for April, May and June are now available.  The May edition includes a special report "A Profile of Canadian Exporters."  The June edition included a special report titled "Canadian Trade by Manufacturing High-Technology Industries."  The reports are available in PDF format.

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_ecnmy/mera/engdoc/06.html?he=y

Monthly Economic Indicators

Industry Canada's Monthly Economic Indicators for July is now available. The report presents a variety of analysis and data on the Canadian economy.

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_ecnmy/mera/engdoc/03.html?he=y

New Report on Technology Change and Innovation in Canada

"Challenges of Rapid Technological Change: Catching up with the Jetsons" analyzes the impact that technology change and innovation is having on different industries in Canada with comparison to the US and Europe.  The report is available at:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_ecnmy/mera/engdoc/04.html?he=y

Building Trust and Confidence in Electronic Commerce:  A Framework for Electronic Authentication

This consultation paper describes authentication and certification services and provides some background on the related policy framework.  It identifies the need to provide a coordinated approach to building trust and confidence in authentication and certification services in Canada.   It proposes that a framework be established for these services in Canada. 

http://e-com.ic.gc.ca/english/authen/631e10.html#prog

New Industry Canada Working / Discussion / Occasional Papers

"Are Canadian-controlled manufacturing firms less productive than their foreign-controlled counterparts?" This paper by Someshwar Rao and Jianmin Tang analyses the multi-factor productivity (MFP) gap between Canadian- and foreign-controlled manufacturing firms. The evidence from micro (firm-level) data suggests that Canadian-controlled firms, on average, were 25 percent less productive than their foreign-controlled counterparts over the 1985-88 period. The MFP gap, however, narrowed to about 16 percent during the 1989-95 period.

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ra01756e.html?he=y

"The Canada-U.S. Productivity Growth Paradox."  This paper by Serge Coulombe, University of Ottawa, analyzes productivity data on the business sector, which covers around 75 percent of the economy.  It also provides important information on the evolution of living standards.

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ra01757e.html?he=y

"Is Canada Missing the "Technology Boat"? Evidence from Patent Data."  This paper was prepared by Manuel Trajtenberg, Tel-Aviv University, National Bureau of Economic Research, and Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.  The paper examines innovation in Canada over the past 30 years with the aid of highly detailed patent data. The author uses all Canadian patents taken in the United States (over 45,000), as well as U.S. patents and patents from other countries for comparative purposes.
 
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ra01760e.html?he=y

"A Regional Perspective on the Canada-U.S. Standard of Living Comparison."  Prepared by Raynald Létourneau and Martine Lajoie of Industry Canada, this paper presents a comparison of standards of living between Canadian provinces and U.S. states. Most comparisons with the United States focus on the national perspective, while provincial analyses are essentially restricted to the domestic context.  The comparison focuses on standards of living with a special emphasis on labour productivity.

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/ra01761e.html?he=y

Information and Communications Technologies Statistical Overview
 
The Information and Communications Technologies Statistical Overview web site contains the latest data available for the ICT sector (including 1999 data on trade, GDP and R&D), detailed industry tables, new charts, historical data and related reports. This site also contains the 2000 edition of the Information and Communications Technologies Statistical Review (ICTSR).
 
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/it00957e.html?he=y

The Dynamics of Technology-Based Economic Development: State, Science And Technology Indicators

This report was prepared by the U.S. Office of Technology Policy and the Department of Commerce.  "The primary purpose of this report is to assemble a consistent set of state-level data that approximates the technology infrastructure of the states."

http://tapreview.nist.gov/PRel/tapub.pdf

Science and Engineering Indicators 2000

The National Science Foundation recently released its latest report on science and engineering indicators.  "The report describes growing evidence of how fundamental science has contributed to a stronger U.S. economy, and how IT has had a major impact on all facets of society. It also says that the impact is unequal within many segments of the national economy and in education, leaving these parts of American society bereft of IT's advantages, and creating a 'digital divide.'"  The two-volume edition of S&E Indicators 2000 also includes a CD-ROM that provides access to the entire report and data tables in a spreadsheet format.  The report is also available on-line at:

http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind00/start.htm

Digital States Survey

Arizona, Illinois, and Washington top the rankings of the Digital States Survey for information technology (IT) infrastructure and policy and digital democracy. In the July 2000 issue of Government Technology magazine, the survey by the Center for Digital Government and the Progress and Freedom Foundation provides scores for the top ten states in each area.  The survey s categories for evaluating state performance in the technology infrastructure and policy arena focused on IT management and administration issues such as creating high-level chief  information officer (CIO) positions, building statewide intranets, establishing IT architectures and developing web portals.

http://www.govtech.net/publications/gt/2000/july/DigitalStates/DigitalStates.shtm

Commercialization and Business Planning Guide

The National Institute of Standards and Technology in the United States has recently published a new report, Commercialization and Business Planning Guide for the Post-Award Period to help small entrepreneurial firms refine and improve their business plans.  The guide offers detailed information and advice on financing options, how venture capitalists and "angels" work, licensing agreements, corporate partnering, and how to make them work for your company.  It includes sections on how best to present a company to potential investors, strategies for effective presentations, and describes strategies for the most effective presentations.  Although the Commercialization and Business Planning Guide was created as an aid to companies in attracting additional private funding to commercialize and launch the technologies they develop under the Applied Technology Program, non-ATP participants and entrepreneurs starting new companies also may find it useful.  Copies of Commercialization and Business Planning Guide for the Post-Award Period (NIST CGR 99-779) are available from the ATP, (301) 975-4332. Additional information on the ATP is available on the web at

www.atp.nist.gov.

Developing High-Tech Communities

A recent report released by the Office of Advocacy at the Small Business Administration, highlights the transformation of the San Diego economy. The report focuses on the emergence of the city's high technology cluster and the factors instrumental in nurturing its development.   "Some of the major lessons that can be drawn from San Diego's success are:  The role of a research university is a valuable resource for technology firms. However, the       extent of success depends on the university's willingness to actively facilitate linkages with the private sector.  Research universities are not only an important source for R&D, but perhaps more importantly, also as a source of future skilled labor for growing technology firms.  Local and state governments can make a difference by creating a "business friendly" environment for technology firms.  State policies, such as R&D tax credits or investment tax credits, can help foster growth in high-tech clusters."

http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs198tot.pdf

Growing Pains: Quality of Life in the New Economy

This report issued by the National Governors' Association tackles problems associated with suburban expansion and urban decay.  The report presents examples of successful efforts by governors to address these problems and is a culmination of a year-long study by NGA's Center for Best Practices. 

http://www.nga.org/Releases/PR-05June2000Growth.asp
 
OECD National Innovation Systems Phase III:  Focus Group on Clusters

The objective of the OECD focus group is to "explore to what extent and in which respects clusters differ in their innovation performance and mechanisms of knowledge sharing and transfer."   Working papers from the 8-9 May workshop are available on-line at:

http://www.ocde.org/dsti/sti/s_t/inte/nis/Clusters/clusters.htm

The Impact of Public R&D Expenditure on Business R&D

This OECD report attempts to quantify the effect of government funding on business R&D in 17 OECD Member countries over the past two decades.

http://www.ocde.org/dsti/sti/prod/wp2000_4e.htm

Talent, Not Technology: Publicly Funded Research and Innovation in the UK

This report was prepared by members of the Science and Technology Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex  for the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).  The report brings together three aspects of this debate over the link of university research and innovation. It examines the empirical evidence about the role of publicly  funded research in innovation in the UK, it gives a comparison of the UK s research investment in relation to that of other leading countries, and it places this evidence in the context of an integrated research-innovation framework.

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/news/talent.html

Innovating Routines in the Business Firm: What Matters, What's Staying the Same, and What's Changing

Prepared by Keith Pavitt for the Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at Sussex University, UK, this report examines firm behavior patterns that lead to successful innovation.

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/publications/imprint/sewps/sewp45/sewp45.pdf

Measuring the impact of science on innovation

Since 1995, a new indicator that claims to measure the impact of scientific research on innovation has been developed, based on the number of citations of scientific articles in patents. For recent appraisals of this indicator see:

M. Meyer, Does Science Push Technology? Patents Citing Scientific Literature, Research Policy, 29 (2000): 409-434,

R.J.W. Tijssen et al., Technological Relevance of Science: An Assessment of Citation Linkages Between Patents and Research Papers, Scientometrics, 47 (2000): 389-412.

HYPERLINKS

The Spadina Bus Census

Spadina Bus (http://www.spadinabus.com) is developing a comprehensive survey of the area in order to better understand the size, growth and composition of the e-cluster. The Spadina Bus Survey aims to create a picture of the new economy companies in the Greater Toronto Area and, more specifically, within the King & Spadina neighbourhood. The survey will enable us to better understand the needs of new economy companies located in the area and to promote this sector of the economy, both nationally and internationally. This information will be made available to all participants in an easy-to-use form, and will help in promoting the cluster to recruits, investors, partners, and clients.

If you would like to participate just go to the following link:

http://www.thepowertoknow.com/ottis/spadinabus

Electronic Commerce in Canada

This new site brings together information from the Canadian E-Business Opportunities Roundtable.

http://e-com.ic.gc.ca/eteam?he=y

Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU), Sussex University, UK

The SPRU site contains numerous working papers and other publications.

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/

Association of European Regions of Industrial Technology

RETI is an association of industrial regions in Europe. In 1984 these regions, having found themselves facing similar economic and social challenges, created a common forum to share experience, ideas and know-how; and to serve as a strong and coherent voice in the arena of European Community policy.

http://www.association-reti.org/

EVENTS

Productivity Forum Online

Industry Canada will hold its first "On Line Forum on Productivity" until September 8.  The Forum will allow anyone with Web
access to participate in discussions of productivity and the Canadian economy.

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/pr00026e.html?he=y

9th International Telecommunication Network Planning Symposium, September 10-15, Royal York Hotel, Toronto
 
Toward Natural Networks is the theme of the 2000 symposium. The Toronto event marks the first time the conference has been held in North America and is the only international forum dedicated exclusively to the global network planning community. Delegates will discuss the ongoing challenges and opportunities arising from the rapid development of computer networking technology. Topics will cover such issues as new hardware, access technologies and methods, edge-driven networks, mass market interactivity and applications and new design models. For more information see:

www.networks2000.org

Future Shock - ITAC Ontario/CITO Breakfast  - Sept. 12, 2000

"Do cyborgs live among us?" ?  that National Post headline described a story on Dr. Steve Mann of the University of Toronto. Dr. Mann  is regarded by many as the inventor of the wearable computer. He will introduce the concept of "Wearable Computing" (http://wearcam.org/mr.htm), describing "Toronto's Telephone of the Future project: and eyeglass based wearable videoconferencing and multimedia computer system, as well as the wristwatch videophone (http://wearcam.org/wristcam) being developed in UofT's Humanistic Intelligence Lab.

Dr Mann launches the ITAC Ontario & CITO "Second Tuesday IT Breakfast" series. This series of breakfasts, with the theme "to inform and
entertain", will, oddly enough, take place on the second Tuesday of every month from September to June. Register online at http://www.itacontario.com or contact Caren Adno at mailto:cadno@itac.ca or (905) 602 8510 ext 237.

ONRIS September Workshop, September 14-15, Kingston

The topic for this year's discussion is local economic governance and cluster development. The workshop will be held in Kingston, Ontario.   For more information contact: onris.progris@utoronto.ca.

International Information Industry Congress - IIIC

ITAC is hosting and presenting this Congress on September 18 and 19 with a strong lineup of agenda items.  Stephen Lewis, Former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF will talk about The Access Opportunity; Mr. Rajanikanta Verma, High Commissioner of India is invited to present on "Advantage India".  Other topics for information and debate are: Wireless Strategies in Latin America, Cybercrime, and a draft paper on a Global Product Conformity Assessment System.  For full details and registration, visit

http://www.iiicongress.org/2000congress.htm

CITO's Knowledge Network Conference - Beyond the Edge: Road Mapping Innovation, October 2-3, Ottawa

This annual advanced research event will be held on October 2 & 3, 2000 at the Centurion  Conference Centre in Ottawa.  The conference will  explore issues surrounding "longer term technology planning and the identification and direction of relevant research. It is an opportunity to look 'beyond the edge' to the ideas, technologies and people shaping tomorrow's state-of-the-art technology."  The conference agenda is available at:

http://www.cito.ca/events/events/kncoct22000.shtml

Benchmarking Industry-Science Relationships, October 16-17, Berlin

This joint German-OECD conference will be held in Berlin on October 16 & 17.  The following themes will be discussed:
- the role of universities and public research institutions in the innovation process
- new mechanisms for financing research and new ventures at the industry-science
- interface including spin-offs
- the impact of globalization
- the role of science in fostering clusters of new industries and in revitalising mature sectors;
- the contribution of human capital and talent
- the evaluation of private and public initiatives to foster industry-science linkages

For more information see:  http://www.industry-science-berlin2000.de/

Innovation 2000 - The Grand Challenges in Managing and Sustaining Innovation, November 2-3, Toronto
   
Hosted by a partnership of The Conference Board of Canada, the Ontario Centres of Excellence, and the Innovation Management Association of Canada, this conference will take place on November 2 &3 at The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.  "Innovation 2000 will bring together the major innovation players in Canada to address the challenges of managing and sustaining innovation. This conference will focus on how leading organizations design, implement and evaluate their innovation strategies."  For more information see:

http://www.cito.ca/events/events/innovation2000.shtml

E-business Strategy and SMARTsourcing Conference, November 13-15, 2000, New York City

This event will allow e-business and IT services providers to demonstrate their products and services to key decision-makers from a variety of industries and business disciplines. In addition, the latest e-business trends, ideas and opportunities will be presented and discussed by industry leaders in a number of seminars, panels and forums.  The New York Consulate will support PEMD (Promotion of Export Market Development) applications from qualified Canadian companies. This program offers low interest loans for companies with revenue under $ 10 billion. These loans can be used for exhibitor participation in a trade show like SmartSourcing. Please contact your local Industry Canada office to begin the application process.  SMARTsourcing is part of the e-Business Strategy and Conference Series produced by the BrainStorm Group and began in 1999. The 2000 schedule is seeking to expand in the success of the 1999 series. For more information see:

http://www.brainstorm-group.com.