Alberta Innovates to be consolidated
May 9, 2016
By Taylor Fredericks
May 9, 2016 - The Alberta government has announced that it will merge four of its Alberta Innovates corporations into a single entity as part of an effort to streamline the province’s research and innovation practices.
The move—tabled as Bill 11—will unite the four corporations under a single board and CEO, and strengthen the Innovates programs’ focus on Alberta’s health, environment, energy, food, fibre, and emerging technologies sectors. The government estimates that this new organizational structure could save Alberta taxpayers approximately $2 million annually while creating new research and innovation opportunities in the province.
The transition will be overseen by Judy Fairburn, who will chair the consolidated Alberta Innovates Board, and Pam Valentine, who will serve as transition CEO.
“This decision positions the province to build on our strengths while positioning us solidly for success,” says Fairburn. “We are committed to working with innovators, whether from academia, entrepreneurial ventures or established businesses, to enable them to accelerate their good ideas through to impactful application and job growth.”
“Alberta’s research and innovation system can be a key driver in the economy—creating jobs, cutting-edge research and attracting talent and funding from around the world,” adds Valentine. “I’ve seen first-hand the benefits from health research and how it can transform the health and well-being of Albertans. I look forward to working closely with researchers and industry clients to ensure Alberta is a leader in research and getting ideas to market.”
The transition period will also see the development of a performance measurement framework that will be assessed by Auditor General and used to provide annual reports to the government.
The search for a permanent CEO will begin this spring.
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