Nearly 50 of Ottawa's tech executives, politicians from all levels and post-secondary school leaders held a closed door meeting a week ago today.
The purpose was to map out a new strategy for this region's tech industry. I spoke to participants and the feeling is that tech and the world's economy have changed dramatically in the last decade and this region needs to readjust to that reality.
Claude Haw head of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation, (OCRI) the city's economic development agency, takes the lead and says "Investment money is the key, we have lots of innovation here but we need investment to make it work." Priority areas include money, talent and picking a few sectors for maximum support in hopes of maximum growth. Haw refuses to say what areas they'll pick as potential winners, Given our telecom base its reasonable to think that will be one and perhaps new media and clean tech.
Stats Canada says last year Ottawa's tech sector lost about 6,000 jobs dropping to 50,600. Haw will release his own employment numbers in a week or so. A year ago OCRI said there were just over 79,000 tech jobs... obviously they take a much broader definition of tech than Stats Canada.
Ottawa mayor, Larry O'Brien was at the session and says "I'm optimistic 2010 will be much better because of the new generation of companies like those in digital web-based media who are having success below the surface."
Bernard Courtois, head of the national Information and Technology Association says "We slacked off a bit, we were known as Silicon Valley North, we were proud of our innovation and our role but we kind of let that go."
John Milloy, Ontario's Innovation Minister says "the province is shifting its strategies and we need to have these conversations ... we know that a lot of people feel they're in a maze when dealing with government."
Simon Gwatkin Vice President at Terry Matthew's WesleyClover said "I'm ready to take action and I think the other participants, are also ready."
Haw adds "It's not about being better than another Ontario city it's about being able to compete globally." The group will meet again in early May.
Web site of the week; www.shortyawards.com an awards program for Twitter you can nominate and vote for winners in some two dozen categories.
This Sunday TECH NOW is pre-empted by NFL Playoffs.
Our website is www.ctvottawa.ca.
