Council for Innovation and Commercialization: Innovation in Action
Canada’s economy is not living up to its innovation potential. According to Signal49 Research’s Innovation Report Card, Canada receives a “C” grade on innovation performance. A country’s capacity to innovate is directly linked to productivity and economic prosperity, and our economy remains a below-average performer. We need to do better.
Supporting Canada’s Innovation Leaders
The Council for Innovation and Commercialization (CIC) is a peer-to-peer learning and networking forum that brings together visionaries from across Canada’s innovation ecosystem, including academia, economic development agencies, government, innovation hubs, and large organizations with innovation portfolios that invest in R&D.
We are committed to fostering collaboration and understanding what we need to do—and how—to develop the best support system that will enable and foster business-led innovation and commercialization in Canada.
We do that by exploring, showcasing, and experiencing innovation in action. Members meet both virtually and in locations across the country to learn, discuss, and explore—in a confidential environment—the real-life opportunities and challenges they are facing. As a member, you’ll leave these meetings inspired and equipped with new ideas, tools, and connections that will help you make better decisions.
Join us to amplify your impact, leverage diverse expertise, and forge partnerships that will shape the future of innovation in our country and drive Canada’s progress forward.
Who should join?
Senior leaders with oversight for driving innovation within their organizations.
Benefits of membership
Strategic networking opportunities:
Access a diverse network of innovation leaders from academia, economic development agencies, government, and large organizations, and foster valuable connections for collaboration and learning.
Insider insights in a confidential setting:
Gain exclusive access to experiential tours and discussions about real-life innovations, opportunities, and challenges that will provide unique insights and strategies to help you navigate Canada’s complex innovation landscape. Meetings are run under Chatham House Rule creating a safe environment for open and candid dialogue.
Empowered decision-making:
Leave meetings inspired and equipped with fresh ideas, practical tools, and new relationships, which will help you make better-informed decisions that drive innovation and contribute to raising Canada’s innovation performance.
Contribute to Canada’s progress:
Deepen your understanding of the Canadian innovation ecosystem, gain valuable insights into the factors influencing the country’s innovation performance, and contribute to informed strategies for improvement. Be part of the solution.
Additional benefits of joining:
The Council for Innovation and Commercialization is run by the same team as the newly launched Canadian Centre for the Innovation Economy (CCIE). As a member of CIC, you may be asked to:
| Participate | Provide | Host |
|---|---|---|
| Participate as a member of a Research Advisory Board (RAB) comprised of external experts who inform and provide feedback on research projects developed through the Centre. | Provide your feedback and discuss the research at Council meetings and/or special virtual sessions. | Host a meeting of the Council or Centre and have the opportunity to offer a tour of your facilities and/or showcase how your organization is driving innovation. |
Testimonial
Contact Us
For more information about the Council for Innovation and Commercialization or to arrange for a guest invitation to attend one of our meetings, please contact our team.
1-888-801-8818
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET; after hours, please send an e-mail.
Current Members
Alberta Innovates
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)
Canada Post Corporation
Dalhousie University
eCommerceOntario
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Lakehead University
New Brunswick Community College
Payworks
Red River College Polytechnic
Tech-Access Canada
The College of the North Atlantic
University of Ottawa
Members Only
CIC members can access exclusive content from this page.
Member Activity
Winter 2026 | International Perspectives: Hot Topics in Innovation 2026
February 11, 2026 • Virtual
Spring 2026 | Managing Complex R&D and Innovation Portfolios – Defining Value, Prioritizing Investments, and Building Collaborations for Success
May 2026 • In-Person
Canada’s Workforce in Transition: How AI is Shaping the Future of Work
November 25, 2025 | Virtual
James Lanningan, Research Associate, Signal49 Research
Signal49 Research, explored how artificial intelligence is not only automating routine tasks but also fundamentally transforming high-skill, cognitive roles across Canada’s labour market. Drawing on new data, James revealed that 57 per cent of workers are in roles at risk of AI-driven disruption—and pinpointed the skills and tasks most affected. This session delved beyond surface-level analysis to provide forward-looking insights into how organizations can rethink their strategies, reshape talent planning, and prepare for evolving skill demands.
The Workplace of the Future: What it Means for Innovation Leaders
November 4-5, 2025 • Waterloo
Carol Leaman, Co-founder, Axonify
Dave Galloway, General Partner, Garage Capital
Devon Kroetsch, Board Member, Voyis
Katherine (Katie) Mack, Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication, Perimeter Institute
Marc Gibson, Chief Operating Officer, Quantum Valley Ideas Lab (QVIL)
Michele Mosca, Co-founder, President and CEO, evolutionQ Inc.
Norbert Lütkenhaus, Executive Director, Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC)
Sheldon McCormick, Chief Executive Officer, Communitech
The Power of Perception and Public Opinion and its Impact on Business
September 16, 2025 | Virtual
David Coletto, Founder, Abacus Data
David Coletto, is one of Canada’s most influential voices in politics. Drawing on decades of research experience, David explored how shifting mindsets—from scarcity to precarity—are reshaping expectations, trust, and how people engage with institutions. In a time of deep uncertainty, leaders need more than intuition—they need insight. As one observer put it: “When David releases a poll, Ottawa listens.” This session was designed to help you understand why—and how to apply it.
Canada’s AI Economy
September 9, 2025 | Virtual
Graham Dobbs, Senior Research Associate, Signal49 Research
During this webinar, Graham explored the state of Canada’s AI economy—highlighting its global leadership in research, talent growth, and innovation potential. He examined economic opportunities arising from AI-driven productivity gains while addressing key barriers, including infrastructure gaps, slow industry adoption, and talent retention challenges.
The Workplace of the Future: What it Means for Innovation Leaders
April 30 – May 1, 2025 • Ottawa
Alice Lafferty, Vice President, Operations Excellence, Canada Post Corporation
Danielle Doiron, General Manager, Marketing, Canada Post Corporation
Gordon Frost, Partner, Global Rewards Solution Leader, Mercer
Nicole Stewart, Principal and Career Office Business Leader, Mercer
Rob Annan, Chief Executive Officer, Genome Canada
Dr. Robert Atkinson, Founder and President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)
Vidur (VK) Krishan, Vice President, Product Management, Payworks
Trump, Tariffs and Trade: Canada’s Near-Term Economic Outlook
February 24, 2025 • Virtual
Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist, Signal49 Research
Hot Topics in Innovation: Talent, Trade and Tariffs
February 20, 2025 • Virtual
Deirdre Moran, Canada Country Manager and Senior Vice President, Technology, IDA Ireland
Glen Hodgson, Chair, Atlantic Economic Council; Former Chief Economist, Momentus Global & Signal49 Research
Dr. Robert Atkinson, Founder and President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)
Tony Bonen, Executive Director, Economic Research, Signal49 Research
Relevant Research for Members
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