From Innovative Industries Innovation Systems Research Network 7th Annual Meeting

Creativity is a way of being “Just like leading edge scientific and technical research, Toronto needs to create an environment that nurtures and develops leading edge imagination and creativity.” Toronto Economic Development Strategy

Increasing Importance of Urban Areas: Canada’s Changing Urban/Rural Balance 1871: 20% urban2001: 80% urban

Technical vs Social Innovation Technical Social

*Note - English 59% not included above. Languages Mother Tongue

Diversity layered on Diversity... 50%+ of Toronto residents are foreign born 40%+ of Toronto residents are visible minorities 172 different countries of origin (U.N. has 190 member countries) Over 100 languages regularly spoken 10% of population is predominantly lesbian or gay 17% of population have some form of disability Dramatic growth of Aboriginal population

Economic Importance of Immigration for all net labour force growth by 2011, and for all net population growth by 2031.” Immigration, Labour Force and the Age Structure of the Population Human Resources Development Canada, 1999 “As a result of demographic shifts, immigrants are expected to account

“Half of the jobs people will have in 15 years time will require skills to operate technology that is not yet invented…” Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, 2001 (cited in the Toronto Labour Force Readiness Plan, 2003) Knowledge & Skills Development “…knowledge and skills are the most valuable commodities traded in the global marketplace…” Toronto Economic Development Strategy

Partnerships