Ottawa Policy Summit
2024
In partnership with the Canadian Tech Network (CTN), TECNA spent time in Ottawa in May 2024 and met with several members of the Canadian federal government relaying the vital role supportive programs, policies and regulations play in promoting a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem
Later in July 2024, a Canadian delegation from TECNA had an incredible series of meetings in Washington, D.C. with senior officials from the Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and the Canadian Embassy to discuss the US SBIR/STTR programs. Members of Communitech, Invest Ottawa and North Forge Technology Exchange were joined by Members of Parliaments and the Assistant Deputy Minister of Innovation Canada to discuss key successes, challenges and recommendations on initiatives to support small business innovation and research in Canada.
2017
Oct. 23-25, 2017, the Canadian members of the Technology Councils of North American (TECNA) held a successful Policy Summit in Ottawa. The goal of the Policy Summit was to convene a collaborative discussion on the opportunities that would further Canada’s Innovation Agenda, support the scaling of technology firms and build sustainable ecosystems in all regions of Canada.
The TECNA-convened, Summit included substantive discussions with representatives from several Canadian government departments including: Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED); NRC-IRAP; Global Affairs Canada; Business Development Canada, Export Development Corporation; Employment Services and Development Canada; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; Finance Canada; Public Works and Procurement Canada; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Seven TECNA member councils participated in the Summit in 2017 and discussed a wide range of important policy issues with government representatives including: access to capital, procurement, accelerator and incubator programs, talent development and the Global Skills Strategy, tax incentives and reform, and an update on NAFTA negotiations.
Representatives of the following TECNA Member Councils participated in the 2017 Summit:
Quebec Technology Association (AQT)
Information and Communication Technologies Association of Manitoba (ICTAM)
MaRS
