Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Thank you for inviting me to say a few words at this important gathering.

I understand your discussions this evening will centre on identifying priorities for the development and adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.

And your overall objective? To turn Canada into a global centre of excellence in this area.

I am glad to see such an ambitious agenda! It reminds me of something my predecessor, John Buchan, said—with some understatement—upon being named governor general in 1935:

“Canada,” he said, “is a biggish job.”

The same can be said of your responsibilities as leaders in manufacturing and research. We live in complex, transformative times, and manufacturing products, processes, business models and supply chains are being profoundly affected by new technologies.

Let me name just a few trends that are impacting the sector:

• Digitization and the integration of sensors, visualization systems and robotics—known as mechatronics;
• 3-D printing;
• Interconnected products and production lines—the so-called Internet of Things;
• Big Data and artificial intelligence;
• Advanced software and hardware for visualization, modelling, design and simulation.

Like I said, keeping up to date, relevant and competitive is “a biggish job” for manufacturers and researchers alike, which is why I am so pleased to see all of you gathered in the same room together.

With our current context in mind, I want to briefly pose five questions to help “set the table” for your discussions this evening and in the days to come.

Having spent a good part of my career prior to becoming governor general at research-intensive universities, I would say the first question to ask is how do we do a better job at connecting research with industry? This is particularly important to help smaller and medium-sized manufacturers adopt and manage new technologies. Remember, research is turning money into ideas and development is turning ideas into money.

The second question I would ask is: how do we ensure that young people are aware of opportunities in technology and advanced manufacturing? Again, my experiences in post-secondary education left me convinced of the wealth of youthful talent and energy in this country. We can and must nurture this talent, and one key element is experiential learning.

Third, how do we reduce the risks associated with the adoption of new technologies? Failure is of course a necessary part of progress, but this question is particularly important for smaller companies that may not have the resources for prolonged experimentation. Collaborative networks help to mitigate and share these risks.

Fourth, how do we improve links between manufacturers and technology companies in order to ensure an advanced manufacturing sector? Sometimes, this is simply a matter of staying informed as to what new technologies are out there.

And finally, how do we avoid complacency and foster an attitude of achievement and excellence? Can we help to instill a stronger understanding of the need for innovation and a greater appetite for excellence?

My answer to that last question is: “Yes, we can and we must.”

Let me close with a timelessly relevant story about technological revolution that may give some food for thought.

It’s common knowledge that the invention of the printing press in 16th-century Europe changed the course of civilization.

What is less well known is the extent to which the printing press was the result of close collaboration. The printing press would never have seen the light of day were it not for the cluster of innovators who came together to make it happen.

They were Johannes Gutenberg, Martin Luther, and Frederick the Elector of Saxony—John, Martin and Fred, I’ll call them.

John invented the printing press—the technology—around 1450, and promptly went bankrupt. It took Martin’s translation of the Bible—the content, if you will—three quarters of a century later, as well as Fred to shield him from Rome, to truly bring the printing press to Western Europe’s attention.

Now, what is interesting is that Europe was in fact late in “inventing” the printing press. Moveable type appeared in Korea as early as the 3rd century AD, and Marco Polo saw printed books in China in 1215. But those civilizations had only John. They were lacking their Martins and their Freds. The point is that all three were necessary to bring forth the printing press, which led to the tradition of learning through reading, critical thinking and discussion, and to the transformation of the individual’s role in society.

What’s the point of this story, you ask?

Simply that innovation requires us to work together. The printing press needed its John, Martin and Fred. Canadian manufacturers and exporters need advanced technologies to succeed, and advanced research can be strengthened by a healthy and dynamic manufacturing sector.

With this in mind, I wish you great success in your important work.

Thank you.