Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters are delivering worldwide impacts. From self-driving vehicles, robots for sanitization, prediction tools for patient treatment, augmented reality for aircraft repair, development of new plant-based alternatives, and the latest technology to protect our oceans, the clusters are fostering innovation across industries to benefit all.
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Targets and goals
The clusters are delivering results and have met all of the targets and goals they set out to achieve when the program launched in 2017.
* The leverage ratio refers to the investment of industry and other partners against the federal contribution towards announced regular stream projects.
** IP rights include patent applications, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets generated through cluster technology leadership projects with submitted IP reports.
The cluster’s impact
Since 2018, the clusters have built stronger innovation ecosystems by creating partnerships between small- and medium-sized firms, large firms, not-for-profits, and academia. By investing in promising projects from the partnerships, the clusters help firms scale up, develop and protect their IP, create high-quality jobs, and position Canada as a global leader in the innovation space and the five identified sectors.
Announced projects
As of December 31, 2023 the clusters have approved more than 515 projects.
Project partnerships
These projects have involved more than 2,620 partnerships. Of these partnerships, more than half are small and medium-sized enterprises (1,310).
Co-investment with industry
The program has had a total co-investment of over $2.34 billion to date. This includes a contribution of more than $1.45 billion from industry and other partners, and more than $884 million in federal funding.
Membership
The clusters have been building membership coast-to-coast-to-coast with 8,600 members engaged across all five clusters (as of September 30, 2023).
New intellectual property (IP) rights
More than 855 IP assets have been generated over 111 cluster projects, including patent applications, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets as of March 31, 2022.
Ernst & Young’s report: Economic Impact Analysis
In 2022, EY conducted an economic impact analysis on the activities undertaken by project participants of the clusters. The program and the clusters use report’s insights to guide existing clusters growth, inform policy development and demonstrate the value of the program to Canada and its economy.
Growing the economy through new or improved job opportunities
The clusters have created or sustained 23,900 jobs in Canada’s economy.Footnote * This far outstrips initial projections of 15,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs created by 2023.
Increasing the global recognition of the partnerships under the clusters, to increase collaboration and funding opportunities
Almost 60% of ongoing projects will access new global markets.
Using projects and activities to benefit the environment
53% of projects are expected to create positive environmental impacts.
Learn more
Learn more by reading the Ernst & Young’s Economic Analysis of Canada’s Superclusters - Executive Summary.
Annual reports
Read each clusters' annual reports to learn more about their impacts to date.
Related links
Questions?
For any other questions you might have about the program, read our Frequently asked questions page or contact us. We aim to acknowledge receipt in 3 business days, and respond within 7 business days. More about our service standards.