The Clean Energy Solutions Center, in partnership with Mission Innovation, hosted this webinar on clean energy innovation in Canada.

The Mission Innovation initiative aims to achieve clean energy technology performance breakthroughs and cost reductions. The 21 governments participating in Mission Innovation represent well over 80% of global public investment in clean energy research and development. Each participating government has pledged to seek to double its clean energy innovation budget over the next five years.

The webinar began with Canadian officials describing the current landscape for clean innovation in Canada, including the new Government’s commitments around transforming to a low-carbon economy, and advantages related to the clean technology sector in Canada. This was followed by overviews of federal funding and research and development programs, as well as collaborative partnerships that are used to accelerate clean technology innovation and market penetration.

The webinar presentations were followed by an interactive question and answer session with the audience.

Panelists

Frank Des Rosiers, Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation and Energy Technology Sector (IETS), Natural Resources Canada

Frank Des Rosiers was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of Innovation and Energy Technology Sector (IETS) in May 2013. IETS is the primary funder and performer of federal, non-nuclear, energy RD&D in Canada. Prior to his appointment, Frank served as General Director, Tax Policy at Finance Canada and as Assistant Secretary, Priorities and Planning at the Treasury Board Secretariat. A former member of NRCan’s management team, Frank served as Director General, Strategic Policy Branch from 2003 to 2007. Between 1998 and 2003, he worked in Intergovernmental Affairs at the Privy Council Office as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister and Director, Economic and Fiscal Analysis. Frank holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University (Fulbright Scholar). He also holds a B.A. in Economics from Laval University and a M.A. in Economics from the University of Montreal.

Andrew Noseworthy, Federal Co-Chair, Working Group on Clean Technology, Innovation and Jobs; Senior Advisor to the President (Energy and Strategic Initiatives), Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Andrew Noseworthy is the Federal Co-Chair, First Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) Working Group in Clean Technology, innovation and Jobs. In addition to this temporary assignment, he is Senior Advisor to the President of ACOA (Energy and Special Initiatives). In conjunction with his assignment with the FMM Working Group, Mr. Noseworthy is assisting in coordinating Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s overall approach to clean technology and clean growth. As part of his duties with ACOA, Andrew is responsible for the operations of the Atlantic Canada Energy Office, a partnership initiative between ACOA and Natural Resources Canada, based in St. John's with additional staff elsewhere in the Atlantic region. Prior to joining the federal public service, Andrew had an 18-year career with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and held a number of senior appointments, including Associate Secretary to Cabinet, Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Assistant Secretary to Cabinet (Economic Policy).

Dr. Bettina Hamelin, Vice-president, Partnerships, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

As Vice-President of NSERC’s Research Partnerships Directorate, Dr. Bettina Hamelin is responsible for a range of programs designed to stimulate increased public/private collaboration and technology transfer and to maximize the benefits that university and college research provides to Canada. Bettina has more than 15 years of experience in the biotech and international pharmaceutical industry as well as 10 years of academic experience as a tenured professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Université Laval. Prior to joining NSERC, Bettina held a variety of positions at Pfizer Canada, most recently as Canadian Medical Lead, Vaccines, and Head, Strategic Research Partnerships, Western Canada. Early roots in biology and chemistry (Vordiplom, Universität Kaiserslautern, Germany) have lead Bettina to complete a B.Sc. in pharmacy and a Doctor of Pharmacy, both from the University of Kentucky, U.S. and an EMBA in Healthcare from the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Andy Reynolds, General Manager of the Energy, Mining and Environment, Canada’s National Research Council

Andy Reynolds is General Manager of the Energy, Mining and Environment portfolio at Canada’s National Research Council, where he leads a team of around 200 scientists, engineers, managers and technicians addressing innovation challenges in the resource industries. With effort focused in major multi-year programs in mining and clean tech, the team works with clients and stakeholders throughout Canada to reduce technology risks and improve collaboration along value chains. Andy earned his BEng and MSc degrees from the Royal Naval Engineering College. In 1998, he was designated a Chartered Engineer in the UK and, in 2011, a Professional Engineer in Alberta. He is also a member of both the UK Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the City and Guilds Institute.

Chris Boivin, Vice President, Investments, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)

Chris has worked in the cleantech sector for over 15 years. As VP Investments, Chris is currently an Officer of the Foundation managing over $1 billion in government funds. Chris is accountable for SDTC investment deal flow, due diligence and selection functions, and ensuring portfolio diversity, balance and resilience to maximize the Foundation’s performance in delivering economic and environmental benefits to Canadians. Previously, Chris led SDTC’s pilot Entrepreneur in Residence program and was seconded to SDTC portfolio companies to help them develop and implement a plan for transitioning from technology development companies to growth companies. Chris is an expert in clean energy and energy efficient technologies, trends and issues. He is also well versed in greenhouse gas quantification and intellectual property. Chris has also worked in photovoltaic manufacturing (NewSun Technologies) and fuel cells market analysis (Dupont).