One-year anniversary of the Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy

Last July, I remember being in Vancouver to launch Canada's Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. A year later, we are given the chance to reflect on how the Strategy is succeeding so far and how it is actively supporting the growth of a strong and competitive domestic life sciences sector, while creating high-quality jobs and preparing Canada for future pandemics.

Canada's life sciences sector has a long and impressive history of international leadership

With the invention of the world's first pacemaker, the discovery of insulin and the first identification of stem cells, the list goes on. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our biopharmaceutical industry was not equipped to provide the large-scale and flexible capacity Canada needed to produce vaccines domestically.

That's why, as soon as the pandemic started, we moved swiftly to reverse a four-decade decline in domestic manufacturing capacity. We were able to put in place the research support, infrastructure and partnerships necessary to domestically manufacture personal protective equipment, vaccines and therapies, so that Canada could stand strong in the fight against COVID-19 and be prepared to fight future potential health emergencies.

"The one-year anniversary of the Strategy is an exciting moment to look back at the progress made from coast to coast to coast, and the resilience and commitment Canadians showed when hit with the pandemic."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

A Canada-wide effort

But we didn't do it alone. In 2020, we issued our made-in-Canada call to action. Across the country, over 6,000 companies raised their hands to help and adapted their production lines to join this unprecedented national effort. And because the pandemic isn't over yet, the government continues to invest in made-in-Canada products to ensure Canadians are and will continue to be well protected.

Since 2020, the government has invested $1.8 billion in 32 projects across Canada with a whole-of-sector approach to guarantee that Canada has a robust life sciences ecosystem for years to come. And in 2021, to consolidate this approach, the government, in partnership with stakeholders, industry and academia, launched the Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. This strategy is building on innovation, from discovery to application, to ensure Canada has the talent, the experience and the expertise to be a global leader in biomanufacturing.

"Brick by brick, we are putting foundations back in place that will help Canada remain open to the world during the pandemic and in non-pandemic times."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

A look back on a successful year

Only one year in, we have already successfully supported projects that are adding capacity across a range of vaccine and therapeutic platforms and production processes—like RNA, protein-based and viral vector vaccine development and production, new fill-and-finish capabilities and more. Major global players now see Canada as the place to invest. Whether it's locking in a global mandate from Sanofi for the production of its influenza vaccine, or seeing Moderna choose Canada as the place to build its new facility, it's all a testimony to our vision.

By supporting cutting-edge research, building critical infrastructure and fostering a lasting talent pipeline, we are establishing a strong, growing and world-leading life sciences sector in this country. Brick by brick, we are putting foundations back in place that will help Canada remain open to the world during the pandemic and in non-pandemic times. Together, we are creating a future in which Canada leads in preventing, treating and curing all kinds of illnesses and diseases.

The one-year anniversary of the Strategy is an exciting moment to look back at the progress made from coast to coast to coast, and the resilience and commitment Canadians showed when hit with the pandemic. Given how far we have progressed in such a short time, I am confident that made-in-Canada ingenuity and innovation will cement lasting global leadership.