Digital communications may have changed the way we communicate on a day-to-day basis, but business leaders know there is no substitute for face-to-face dialogue to discuss ideas, develop partnerships and build networks.
This reality was in full effect at “Innovate in Canada: Green Tech –Lowering the Cost of Discovery through Cross-Border Opportunities,” a conference held on March 3rd, at the Reuters Conference Center in New York by the Canadian Consulate and their partners Invest Quebec, Ontario, Vale Columbia Center, and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin.
More than 75 people attended the one-hour session, which featured speakers including Ross Garland from General Electric, Jean Trewhella from IBM, Walter Lowes of Trilliant, and Claude Jodoin of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin.
The moderator was Richard Bendis, President of Innovation America whose global daily innovation newsletter can be found at www.innovationamerica.us/daily.
Karl Sauvant from Vale Columbia Center offered opening remarks on foreign direct investment (fdi) and how the financial crisis has affected cross-border investment. In the midst of the clean technology boom, or ‘bubble’ as some may see it, he discussed the impact clean technologies will have on fdi in the coming years and the growth of cross-border collaborations.
Ross Garland of General Electric shared some of the steps GE is taking to optimize their manufacturing facilities, making them more energy-efficient and leveraging more sustainable technologies. As a company, GE has a short-term goal to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by one million metric tons.
Jean Trewhella of IBM underscored the importance of globalization in IBM’s corporate strategy. She focused on the importance of sharing development costs with key suppliers and the growing role of collaborations with academia and government. Jean emphasized IBM’s close relationship with Canada and the growth of its research and development activities in Canada.
Walter Lowes of Trilliant attributed a contract with the government of Ontario as a catalyst for the company’s success. Trilliant won a procurement bid to supply every home in Ontario with ‘Smart Meters’ to monitor and help regulate energy use in homes. The company has operations in Silicon Valley, Ontario and Quebec, making Canada a key part of Trilliant’s strategic growth.
The final speaker, Claude Jodoin of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin gave an overview of the Canadian Government’s Research & Development Tax Credits. The Canadian government is encouraging innovation with some very generous tax credits, yet only 15 % of the companies that qualify are applying for the benefits. Mr. Jodoin emphasized the cost and overhead issues related to discovery through R&D and encouraged US and Canadian companies to explore eligibility of Canada’s comprehensive tax incentive programs.
To learn more about Canada’s generous R&D tax credit program and see how companies are significantly reducing R&D costs through direct investment or sub-contracting in Canada, visit http://investincanada.gc.ca/eng/advantage-canada.aspx.
For more information about Canadian business opportunities and other upcoming events please contact Karen Kennedy, Consul and Head of Investment, Science & Technology at The Canadian Consulate General in New York at 212-596-1661 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
This reality was in full effect at “Innovate in Canada: Green Tech –Lowering the Cost of Discovery through Cross-Border Opportunities,” a conference held on March 3rd, at the Reuters Conference Center in New York by the Canadian Consulate and their partners Invest Quebec, Ontario, Vale Columbia Center, and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin.
More than 75 people attended the one-hour session, which featured speakers including Ross Garland from General Electric, Jean Trewhella from IBM, Walter Lowes of Trilliant, and Claude Jodoin of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin.
The moderator was Richard Bendis, President of Innovation America whose global daily innovation newsletter can be found at www.innovationamerica.us/daily.
Karl Sauvant from Vale Columbia Center offered opening remarks on foreign direct investment (fdi) and how the financial crisis has affected cross-border investment. In the midst of the clean technology boom, or ‘bubble’ as some may see it, he discussed the impact clean technologies will have on fdi in the coming years and the growth of cross-border collaborations.
Ross Garland of General Electric shared some of the steps GE is taking to optimize their manufacturing facilities, making them more energy-efficient and leveraging more sustainable technologies. As a company, GE has a short-term goal to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by one million metric tons.
Jean Trewhella of IBM underscored the importance of globalization in IBM’s corporate strategy. She focused on the importance of sharing development costs with key suppliers and the growing role of collaborations with academia and government. Jean emphasized IBM’s close relationship with Canada and the growth of its research and development activities in Canada.
Walter Lowes of Trilliant attributed a contract with the government of Ontario as a catalyst for the company’s success. Trilliant won a procurement bid to supply every home in Ontario with ‘Smart Meters’ to monitor and help regulate energy use in homes. The company has operations in Silicon Valley, Ontario and Quebec, making Canada a key part of Trilliant’s strategic growth.
The final speaker, Claude Jodoin of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin gave an overview of the Canadian Government’s Research & Development Tax Credits. The Canadian government is encouraging innovation with some very generous tax credits, yet only 15 % of the companies that qualify are applying for the benefits. Mr. Jodoin emphasized the cost and overhead issues related to discovery through R&D and encouraged US and Canadian companies to explore eligibility of Canada’s comprehensive tax incentive programs.
To learn more about Canada’s generous R&D tax credit program and see how companies are significantly reducing R&D costs through direct investment or sub-contracting in Canada, visit http://investincanada.gc.ca/eng/advantage-canada.aspx.
For more information about Canadian business opportunities and other upcoming events please contact Karen Kennedy, Consul and Head of Investment, Science & Technology at The Canadian Consulate General in New York at 212-596-1661 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
