November 3rd: Formation of the Biotechnology Council of Ontario Our Vision: Biotechnology holds the promise of increased prosperity and better health for all the people of Ontario. Working together, stakeholders in the biotechnology sector, including businesses, associations, institutions, regional development groups, government, and individuals, can make Ontario one of largest jurisdictions for biotechnology in North America. To achieve this important and exciting goal, we must concentrate, as partners, on the forces that shape our competitive position. Today and in the future, we endeavour to speak with one voice on the key policy priorities: Talent, Regulatory environment, Alliances and access to Capital (OnTRAC). We resolve to form the Biotechnology Council of Ontario to advocate forcefully and effectively for the public policy that will grow Ontario’s biotechnology economy into one of the most formidable in the world. Our Beliefs: There are clear benefits to unified, province-wide advocacy for the biotechnology industry; It is important that we communicate the needs and opportunities of our industry to the new government quickly and effectively. An inclusive and collaborative approach that respects local initiatives and brings together our biotechnology community from suppliers to start-ups and research centres to large corporations is central to our collective success. Our Commitment, in principle, to the following actions: To create a Council based on inclusiveness, integration – both geographic and functional, and non-interference with ongoing activities in any particular arena; To use this Council to foster a single and unified voice for biotechnology in Ontario. This voice will advocate the priorities of our sector to the provincial government in Queen’s Park and represent the interests of Ontario’s biotechnology sector to the federal government in Ottawa in order to: Influence public policy development and the programs, laws and/or regulations that arise from it; Ensure the effective and efficient development of the biotechnology economy; Drive wealth creation in the province of Ontario for the biotechnology industry; To seek initial provincial “seed” funding to pay for the early stage activities of the Council and to work with all stakeholders to identify and leverage resources, including contributions in cash or kind, of the membership of the Council to sustain it in the long term; To form working groups to develop and put into action our OnTRAC policy platform; To adopt an organizational model that is flexible and responsive; ready to support any new developments in biotechnology as we grow; To meet again on to finalize these arrangements; To communicate this resolution to other industry stakeholders, partners and all levels of government to maximize participation in, and support for, the Council. Get Abobe Acrobat Reader. It's free.

Home | About GWPB | eSurvey | News/Media | Ontario's Biotech Vision | Resources | Contact
copyright © GWPB 2003