Encouraging Innovation

Both the Province of Ontario and Canada understand and recognize the importance of innovation in remaining productive and globally competitive. With this in mind, Ontario also has one of the most generous tax environments in North America for supporting corporate research and development.

Research: Where It's Done

Ontario’s extensive network of universities, colleges and federal government laboratories is among the very best in North America. The province features 18 publicly-funded universities and 24 colleges, including fully-accredited food science and food safety processing programs, highly regarded engineering programs, medical teaching hospitals and the Ontario Veterinary College. Seventeen of Canada’s top 50 research universities are located in Ontario, seven of which attract more than $100 million in sponsored research funding annually.

The Canadian government is committed to providing leading edge food and nutrition research and innovation by bringing together the country’s best minds working in the best facilities. Four exceptional federal research centres in Ontario highlight this commitment.

Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Ottawa
Located at the Central Experimental Farm, a major focus of ECORC research is developing improved varieties of barley, corn, oats, soybeans and wheat for eastern Canada, and providing expertise on plants, fungi and insects for biocontrol and genetic improvement. The Centre holds the largest reference collections of fungi, insects and vascular plants in Canada to support taxonomic research and the protection of Canada's borders from invasive pests.

Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Centre, London
The Centre conducts research on air, water and nutrients, field crops, bio-based products and processes, genomics and biotechnology, and integrated pest management. There are two satellite research sites: Delhi, which focuses on research in nutrients and integrated pest management, and is one of nine national field sites that supports the Minor Use Pesticide Program; and Vineland, which supports the development of improved methods of integrated pest management and is the main site of fruit tree research.

Greenhouse and Processing Crops Research Centre, Harrow
The GPCRC develops and transfers new technologies for production of greenhouse vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers), field-grown processing vegetables, soybeans, and edible beans. It also houses the Canadian Clonal Genebank which preserves the genetic diversity of Canadian fruit crops. Research on the quality and sustainable use of Ontario soils is also a significant activity at the Centre.

Food Research Program, Guelph
Specializing in food safety, quality and nutrition, the Centre is committed to ensuring that food produced in Canada continues to be among the safest and of the highest quality in the world. The Centre also explores the potential for conventional foods to offer nutritional and therapeutic benefits, and works to develop innovative methods to reduce food-borne biological and chemical hazards that may be present in farm commodities, fresh market and processed foods.

For more information on Canada’s research centres, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Science and Innovation website.

Who is Investing in Research?

Research is supported by companies, and the provincial and federal governments through a wide variety of programs, transfers and tax credits. Projects funded include everything from basic to applied research and commercialization. The underlying principle is to support the development of safe, nutritious, high quality foods that meet the needs of a diverse population and enhances Ontario’s $32.5 billion food industry as it manufactures food for the world.

For a detailed look at what is happening in research and innovation at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs please go here.