Ontario adds science and chief science officer to its research and innovation ministry

The provincial government has added science to the mandate of the Ministry of Research and Innovation and announced the creation of a chief science officer (CSO). The new holistic approach to the knowledge economy was decided following consultation with key players in the science and innovation communities and is intended to assist the process of advancing inventions and ideas by providing end-to-end support for commercialization and innovation.

As part of a reorganization and Cabinet shuffle announced June 13th, the new CSO will report to the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science (MRIS). No new programs or funding are currently anticipated, according to MRIS minister Dr Reza Moridi.

"We will enhance the programs we have ... so our science community is fully equipped," says Moridi. " The major reason (for the changes) is our economy is based on knowledge and will be even more so as we move forward."

Moridi points to the recent announcement by General Motors Canada to add up to 1,000 engineers to its operations in Oshawa, Markham and Waterloo to develop software for a new generation of autonomous vehicles — a departure from traditional assembly plant skills that historically drove the expansion of the automotive sector.

He also notes the province is continuing to invest in fundamental science, citing last week's announcement of an additional $50-million for the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and recent investments in the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Ontario Brain Institute.

"Adding science brings more emphasis to the work that we do at this ministry. (Former Ontario premier) Dalton McGuinty created this ministry and was the minister for two years. It's a major asset for our people and the inventions we do in the laboratory and bring to the marketplace. We are a science-based economy and this focuses our attention on this," says Moridi. "The budget for the current fiscal year is already approved. For the future, I will fight for more money for research and innovation."

Scope of CSO role to be determined

Moridi says little has been decided for the new CSO beyond the decision to create the position including when the first CSO will be selected.

"We will give some thought to how we will establish the office, There are two schools of thought — an advisory role or an executive role," he says. "In certain jurisdictions around the world they do have such a position like the US and the UK. In Canada, before (former prime minister) Stephen Harper abolished it, we had a national science advisor. (Prime minister) Justin Trudeau is trying to bring that position back."

"Ontario has global strength in scientific discovery, R&D and innovation. Leveraging these strengths is critical to a more prosperous economy. To focus on bringing more of Ontario's scientific knowledge to the marketplace, the Ministry of Research and Innovation will add science to its mandate. The new position of Chief Science Officer will be created to help lead the government's efforts to advance both basic and applied science." — MRIS Description

Note: Prior to the Cabinet shuffle, Moridi was minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. The ministry's title has now been changed to Advanced Education and Skills Development and is now held by Deborah Matthews, deputy premier and minister of Digital Government.

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