Minister Bains received the 2017 Startup Canada Policy Prize

Prize awarded to a government official who advances Canadian entrepreneurship through policy leadership

OTTAWA, Oct. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, yesterday received the prestigious 2017 Startup Canada Policy Prize at the Startup Canada Awards, a national ceremony recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of Canada's entrepreneurs.

At the ceremony, which took place during Small Business Week, Minister Bains was honoured for his commitment to creating an environment and a culture for Canadian entrepreneurs to grow successful businesses, positioning Canada as a unique global innovation leader. The Minister joined 16 entrepreneurs, companies and support organizations that were also recognized for their work in advancing Canada's entrepreneurship and innovation community.

In his acceptance speech, Minister Bains thanked Startup Canada for its work in advancing entrepreneurship and innovation in Canada. He also highlighted the important work that the Government of Canada is doing to support entrepreneurs, such as the Innovation Superclusters Initiative. A centrepiece of the Government of Canada'sInnovation and Skills Plan, this initiative will leverage a federal investment of up to $950 million to generate public-private partnerships in innovative industries across the country. Each of these superclusters must include a minimum of six small or medium-sized enterprises in order to be considered. This will help dynamic industries create good jobs and new opportunities for Canadians.  

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to work alongside Startup Canada and all the champions, advocates and catalysts for innovation in Canada. We'll continue to work with them to help ambitious Canadian plans and ideas take flight and to help make Canada a world leader in innovation and entrepreneurship."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"Startup Canada is honoured to present Minister Bains with the 2017 Startup Canada Policy Prize. Minister Bains has shown outstanding leadership and commitment to Canada's 2.3 million entrepreneurs. Through our continued work together, we will ensure that Canadian policies are created in the best interest of entrepreneurs, and we will work together to develop Canada into a flourishing entrepreneurial nation."
– Victoria Lennox, Co-Founder and CEO, Startup Canada

Quick facts

• Minister Bains recently announced the shortlisted superclusters applicants during a cross-country tour that included stops in Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
• Superclusters are dense areas of business activity where many of the middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow are created. They attract large and small companies that collaborate with universities, colleges or not-for-profit organizations to turn ideas into solutions that can be brought to market.
• Since being launched in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities from coast to coast to coast.

Associated links

• Startup Canada Awards

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada