Speeches

Technology Commercialization Announcement

Edmonton, Alberta
June 11, 2008

Check Against Delivery

Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.

I appreciate the Minister's comments about the shift that's taking place in the world.

I have also heard from him about the shift happening here in our province's technology sector. Together, Alberta's research community, its universities, and industry partners, are gaining momentum…

…and taking this incredible world-class infrastructure and turning it into tangible solutions.

I've also heard from many of you that you feel a shift coming from this government.

And you're right.

The Alberta government is serious about planning for a future where the province's economy is diversified to create long-term prosperity.

We are setting a foundation, and building on our strengths… just as we have done in the past in the resource sector and others.

Technology is the key. It can reach into every corner of our economy, and become the driver in the global knowledge-based economy.

Alberta has many technology success stories, including work in diabetes and hepatitis B, microsurgery and cancer treatments…

…environmental improvements we're working on, such as clean coal technology, in-situ oil recovery, and carbon capture and storage…

…and agricultural advancements that are turning crops into nutritional solutions, and turning bio-wastes into power and plastics.

With the success of our economy, this generation of Albertans has a unique opportunity to build for tomorrow, by ensuring that ideas and innovations developed in our province can stay in our province and be commercialized here.

Sure, it will take some time. But we're well on our way.

"Knowledge" is a resource that we have plenty of… and it's the resource that never depletes itself. In fact, knowledge actually grows more knowledge.

And it has an incredible way of gaining momentum.

We just need to create an environment — an innovation ecosystem — that supports, builds and creates a more knowledge-based economy here in Alberta.

One that gives businesses, like you, the elbow room to innovate.

There are four major cornerstones in our Action Plan:

• Enhancing an already strong tax environment by introducing a science and research tax credit to Alberta;
• Inviting the world to invest here, with the $100 million investment in the Alberta Enterprise Corporation;
• Building your companies and products, by taking all the steps to make our businesses ready for investment, and ready for the world; and
• Encouraging new technopreneurs — by sustaining and building the skills needed for tomorrow's economy.

We are investing $178 million in our Action Plan for Bringing Technology to Market — and that's before we take into account the R & D tax credit.

As you can see, we're coming at it on all fronts.

Our plan hits on every stage of company growth needed to sustain success, from access to capital…

…to attracting the kinds of people and investors who can mentor and develop our businesses…

…to building a network of experts that can help companies get access to markets, test their products, and negotiate in the legal and business environments that are so unique to the high-tech sector.

It's about building this community and culture, based on the strengths of the people in this room and in this province.

It's not enough to just create the knowledge here — we need to commercialize it here too.

Industry, along with our partners and governments, is already investing billions of dollars into research. It's time to make sure we turn this research base into tangible benefits for all Albertans.

I have referred before to one country that has successfully built that culture of commercialization.

Back in the 1960s and 70s, less than 20 patents a year were granted in South Korea. Now, it's over 5000 per year — and South Korea now has one of the highest per-capita incomes in the world.

That's no coincidence. Knowledge creates opportunity …good jobs …a competitive, diversified economy …and wealth.

I've heard the complaints about government getting into the business of business. We all know that's not what this is — it's about capturing the momentum.

It's about a business community, a government and a province that aren't afraid to look ahead …to take our entrepreneurial energy and turn it into something for future generations.

And we're not wasting a minute.

Next week, I'll be taking this message to one of the biggest hubs for commercialization in North America — and the world. Along with Minister Horner, I will be promoting our entrepreneurs and our plan in California.

We are committed to this vision of commercialization. We believe in our companies. And we are committed to taking this message to the world, and building global partnerships.

I want Alberta to become known as one of the world's preferred locations for turning ideas into products and services.

As we build a new frontier in the knowledge-based, next generation economy …we will do it in a planned, strategic way.

As the Minister said, technology commercialization is only part of it. But it's an important part, and we're going to get it right.

Technology commercialization will create the setting for lasting opportunities for knowledge-based jobs for our kids here in Alberta.

Today, with the help of some young people, I would like to demonstrate how Alberta's pioneering history has brought us to today's economy…

…and where the future lies, with the launch of this website on technology commercialization.

The steps Alberta is taking today will be the foundation for that next frontier.