When it comes to innovation, Canada’s rating has been less than stellar. Ranked last among G8 countries in 2004, we blamed our resource based economy for our non-performance.

When it comes to innovation, Canada’s rating has been less than stellar. Ranked last among G8 countries in 2004, we blamed our resource based economy for our non-performance.
But even with our nation at the bottom of the global heap, Alberta has more patents per capita than any other province or territory in the country. However, it’s the Peace Region that provides 40 per cent of all Alberta’s patent inquires – though it boasts a mere five per cent of the population. One of the Peace Region’s strongest assets appears to be idea generation. What would happen to our economy if we could capitalize on these ideas by commercializing them? What if we changed our thinking and started to more fully appreciate the value of creativity; began to think of innovation as an economic generator?
Webster’s dictionary defines creativity as “the ability to combine ideas in a unique way or to make unusual associations between ideas”. Innovation is defined as “the process of taking a creative idea and turning it into a useful product, service or method of operation”. So to use economist Theodore Levitt’s words: “Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things”.
“We are creating a culture of innovation,” said Dr. Bruce Rutley PhD PAg, director CRI. Rutley said that he believes innovation is a mindset and that we need to create an environment where innovative thinking is embraced.
He’s not alone. The common mantra from those nations at the top of the innovation list is: ‘When creative thinking is encouraged, ideas flourish and so does the economy’.
So perhaps now is the time to embrace our legacy. We’re lead-dog already (although the pack we’re running with is pretty weak). If we made innovation not just a buzz word in our businesses but an actual process; if it was taught in our schools and colleges; if it was accepted as a legitimate career – just imagine the potential.
The Centre for Research & Innovation (CRI), a regional service based in Grande Prairie, is quickly becoming the catalyst for growing the Peace Region’s next generation of innovators. A collaboration between Peace Region Economic Development Alliance (PREDA) and Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC), the CRI focuses primarily on technology commercialization (invention management) and organizational innovation (productivity and R&D).
The CRI’s mandate is to be a one-stop-shop for inventors and entrepreneurs in Northwest Alberta. The CRI has taken the lead on this venture and they’ve achieved some very respectable results in the Peace Region thus far, but then what else could we expect – it’s in our blood.

For more information on this article, or to contact The Centre for Research & Innovation call (780) 539-2807, toll free at 1-877-539-2808, email info@TheCRI.ca or visit our website at www.TheCRI.ca .