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From the Policy Research Initiative, this is the federal government's policy paper on social innovation: defining it and the players within the sector.

The first half of the Review focuses on the impacts and risks arising from uncontrolled climate change, and on the costs and opportunities associated with action to tackle it. A sound understanding of the economics of risk is critical here. The Review emphasises that economic models over timescales of centuries do not offer precise forecasts - but they are an important way to illustrate the scale of effects we might see. The second half of the Review examines the national and international policy challenges of moving to a low-carbon global economy. Climate change is the greatest market failure the world has seen. Three elements of policy are required for an effective response.

MRI maintains the government's commitment to innovation. Its mandate is to: * develop an integrated innovation strategy and guide its delivery * invest in both policies and programs to deliver innovation strategy * foster a culture of innovation & showcase it to world MRI acts as: * listener to advice of experts * matchmaker between innovators and investors * supporter for researchers and innovators (school, culture, business) * promoter of research (lab to marketplace) * pursuer of big ideas (funds) The 4 main branches are: * outreach, promotion, and business development * innovation * research * commercialization

MRI maintains the government's commitment to innovation. Its mandate is to: * develop an integrated innovation strategy and guide its delivery * invest in both policies and programs to deliver innovation strategy * foster a culture of innovation & showcase it to world MRI acts as: * listener to advice of experts * matchmaker between innovators and investors * supporter for researchers and innovators (school, culture, business) * promoter of research (lab to marketplace) * pursuer of big ideas (funds) The 4 main branches are: * outreach, promotion, and business development * innovation * research * commercialization

Canadian Policy Research Networks is a non-profit, charitable policy think tank based in Ottawa. Their products are freely available on their site. From two CPRN 2004 roundtable discussions come: * The report that stressed the importance of a relationship between a business and social development (Fostering Social Innovation) and * The report that defined "social innovation" and established priorities of action for years to come ( The Future of Social Innovation)

National Roundtable on the Environment and Economy (NRTEE)'s funding was cut. "The NRTEE symbolized Canada's commitment to economic policy that took seriously the challenges and opportunities of our generation." Alysia Garmulewicz's a writer, states that we should have industrial strategues that will take advantage of innovations in cleantech such as MaRS..."

Ron Freeman, CEO of Research at InfoSource Inc, says that our current funding model isn't working to commercialize our science. That new policy measures are needed to improve Canada's long-term competitive position.

An interesting Toronto-based social-purpose business. PUBLIC is a for-profit, social-purpose business focused exclusively on advancing the public good. We are an innovation company, generating positive social impact through the creation of scalable programs, products and campaigns that: * raise money for charitable purposes * increase civic and community engagement * advance social causes and issues * create new social norms We bring an integrated, impact- driven approach to mobilizing and advancing the public good by aligning brand awareness, policy influence and fundraising. For us, "advancing the public good" is about motivating people (and organizations) to behave in ways that benefit society while recognizing and appealing to their self-interest.

Canada ranks #1 in global access to capital index from Milken Institute, apparently thanks to our stable equity market and sound economic policy framework. That means entrepreneurs here have more support than elsewhere in the world. And we're STILL complaining about lack of start-up money? Think about how hard it must be to be everyone else.

Towards 2020 Science, sets out the challenges and opportunities arising from the increasing synthesis of computing and the sciences. It seeks to identify the requirements necessary to accelerate scientific advances -particularly those driven by computational sciences and the 'new kinds' of science the synthesis of computing and the sciences is creating. Already this synthesis has led to new fields and advances spanning genomics and proteomics, earth sciences and climatology, nanomaterials, chemistry and physics. Towards 2020 Science acts as a 'pathfinder' to new research directions in science and computing. It contributes to, and informs, national and international scientific debate and science policy. It is also meant as just a start, a catalyst for more discussion; something that readers will find useful, inspiring and provocative.

In this brilliant new book, the award-winning New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman demystifies the brave new world for readers, allowing them to make sense of the often bewildering global scene unfolding before their eyes. With his inimitable ability to translate complex foreign policy and economic issues, Friedman explains how the flattening of the world happened at the dawn of the twenty-first century; what it means to countries, companies, communities, and individuals; and how governments and societies can, and must, adapt.

"CBOC provides information on Canadian economic trends, public policy, and organizational performance. Three important subject matters covered are: Economic Performance Trends: Forecast indicators, Historical indicators, Custom services, Conference information, Dictionaries, and a link to the Canadian Tourism Research Institute. More specifically, the Economic forecast indicators focus on Canadian, Provincial, Metropolitan, and Industrial outlooks, as well as at U.S. forecasts."

Dezso J. Horvath is Tanna H. Schulich Chair in Strategic Management and dean of the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto and Matthias Kipping is a professor of policy and chair in business history at Schulich state " Canadian businesses to wean themselves off traditional industries and tried-and-true markets, to instead develop - and commercialize - innovative technology." MaRS Discovery District is bridging the commercialization gap.

Statement from the White House on the new Innovation Policy.  It is very comprehensive, covering everything from R+D, to regional clusters, to the Office of Social Innovation. A lot of smart people worked on this document. The grand challenges listed at the end are especially interesting.

The Martin Prosperity Institute, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Culture, and the City of Toronto - Economic Development, Culture & Tourism Division, will be hosting the inaugural Placing Creativity Conference at MaRS June 9-11, 2009. The conference will look at the interconnection between 'Place' and 'Creativity' through a number of different lenses.

The symposium, Entrepreneurship & Commercialization in Biomedical Science, is being held on Thursday, May 14, which marks the 50th anniversary of both York University and The Gairdner Foundation. At this symposiums they will address the problem that Canadian researchers expertise to need to do in developing drugs and vaccines to address pressing medical needs. Mention of Susan Smith as a Board Member of MaRS Innovation.

America still leads the world - comfortable with the risk-taking that is at the heart of entrepreneurialism and with some structural advantages built into their society and policies, they're continuing to lead.

On April 1, 2010, The Sustainability Leadership Exchange (SLX) will take place at the MaRS Discovery District. The SLX will bring Canadian business leaders, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and investors together to explore what sustainable business means in practice.

The Sustainability Leadership Exchange will take place on April 1st in Toronto. This event will create an interactive exchange of ideas and practices between business leaders, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and investors. MaRS Discovery District will be presenting at the event along with Green Enterprise Ontario and InCourage.

Seniors are staying healthier and living longer. Dr. Jane Barratt, secretary general of the International Federation on Aging, believes only one in seven seniors needs to live in a long-term care facility. Even some quite frail elderly people can and should remain independent in their homes. A conference Tuesday and Wednesday at the MaRS Centre in Toronto explored the business of aging and looked at public policy solutions to issues such as brain health, health care and pensions. Dec 4, 2009

The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers held its second symposium related to climate change on April 29 in Toront,.Entitled, "Engineering in a Climate of Change: Making the Lakes Great." This event was held at the MaRS Centre, in cooperation with the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy at McMaster University.