The Strategic Science and Innovation Leadership Initiative (SSIL)

Canada lacks a science and innovation strategy – and a governing body to steward it. The gap is well known, and the consequences have been documented recently in the Council of Canadian Academies 2025 STIC Report. The beginning of a way forward was laid out in the Report of the Advisory Panel on the Federal Research Support System (Bouchard Commission) in 2024. So what are we still waiting for?

As we move forward toward a resolution, key actors across the HEI, industry, public and social sectors need to be involved in shaping the vision. Establishing alignment on a clear baseline of expectation and shared assumption is needed to move beyond the perfunctory political exercise and effect the transition toward an agile, intelligent and fully capable innovation ecosystems. Building on the conversations, insights, and momentum generated by engagement with over 450 interest holders since 2022, SSIL will aim to create alignment on a much needed national science and innovation strategy that aims for long-term prosperity and well-being.

The Strategic Science and Innovation Leadership Initiative will launch on June 3rd in Calgary as part of a collective effort to take these first, indispensable steps.

Register for the SSIL high level conference on June 3rd HERE. All are welcome.

Speakers include:

Andrea Nemtin (CEO, SI Canada)
Anne-Marie Thompson (VP Research and Fellowships, NSERC)
Brandon Meawasige (COO, Indspire)
Charlene Marion (ED, CEWIL)
Coryell Boffy (VP, Axelys)
Dan Clement (CEO, United Way Centraide Canada)
David Phipps (Director, RIC)
Diane Roussin (Director, Winnipeg Boldness)
Frédéric Bouchard (Dean, UdeM)
Kelly Cobey (Co-Chair, DORA)
Marie Lagacé (VP, Sillons)
Martin Maltais (Président, ACFAS)
Marie-Christine Therrien (Chair, INGSA)
Marwa Abdou (Senior Research Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce)
Mohamad Nasser-Eddine (VP Programs, CFI)
Rob Annan (CEO, Genome Canada)
Robert Asselin (CEO, U15)
Robert Luke (CEO, eCampusOntario)
Sara Ibrahim (Director, Innovation Manitoba)
Stephen Lucas (CEO, Mitacs)
Stéphanie Michaud (CEO, BioCanRx)
Sylvie Lamoureux (COO, SSHRC)
Tammy Clifford (VP Research, CIHR)
Tijs Creuzberg (CEO, CCA)
Tricia Williams (Director Research & KMb, FSC)
Wendy Cukier (Director, Diversity Institute)

Learn more about the Canadian Forum for Social Innovation’s visioning and sense-making convening on the theme: Talent-Powered Prosperity on June 1-2.