Canada in top 10 among innovation champions in CTA scorecard

Canada is among the top countries that are championing innovation, according to the inaugural survey of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the producers of the widely popular Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held annually in Las Vegas, NV. Canada is considered an innovation champion – the 8th among 13 innovation champions in the scorecard. The other countries are identified as either innovation leaders, adopters or modest innovators. The new CTA scorecard was launched at the 2017 CES and covers 38 countries and the European Union, which is counted as one entity. The scorecard ranked the countries and EU based on 25 indicators within 12 categories: diversity, freedom, broadband, human capital, tax friendliness, R&D investment, entrepreneurial activity, drones, ridesharing, self-driving vehicles, short-term rentals and environment. The CTA said the measurements gauge whether the countries have a welcoming environment for innovation, economic growth and social progress. The two main guidelines for evaluating the countries are based on whether government influences public policy and whether data are publicly available for comparisons, the CTA said. Canada scored 2.845 with 1 being the lowest score. Ranked 1st worldwide was Finland with a composite score of 3.280, followed by the UK, 3.154 and Australia, 3.127. Also ranked higher than Canada were Sweden, the US, Singapore and Netherlands. Canada scored A+ in the category freedom (for individual and political freedom) and A in diversity. It got a grade of A- in the categories human capital (the most educated workforce), tax friendliness and environment (for cleanest water and air). Canada scored poorly in the following categories: broadband (C+) and drones, ridesharing and self-driving vehicles (C). Canada scored average in R&D investment (B) and entrepreneurial activity (B+). Most countries included in the survey have trade deals with the US. The scorecard is also intended to help other countries emulate strategies from the innovation champions and leaders.