Governor General’s Innovation Awards Inaugural Presentation

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presided over the inaugural presentation ceremony of the Governor General’s Innovation Awards on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Rideau Hall.

The panelists on this occasion included, from left to right, Tonya Surman, Founding CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation; Dr. Ted Hewitt, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council; moderator Tim Broadhead; Victoria Lennox, Co-Founder and CEO of Startup Canada; Dr. Neil Turok, Director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics; and Sean Silcoff, business reporter with The Globe and Mail.

Later in the afternoon, a panel discussion on innovation took place. Moderated by Tim Brodhead, Former President of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and Co-Chair of Canadians for a New Partnership, the discussion focused on the challenges faced by innovators and how to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of Canadians across Canada.

Each winner received and award and a certificate. Melding modern and traditional materials, each prize celebrates today's achievements while giving a nod to past Canadian creations. the base is made of copper. The top is unique to each project: an algorithm generates a shape based on data gleaned from each winning innovation. The shape is then 3D-printed in photopolymer that hardens when exposed to UV rays.

The 2016 Governor General Awards winners: Christi Belcourt, Robert Burrell, Jeff Dahn, Breanne Everett, Kinova (represented by Charles Deguire), Mark Torchia and Richard Tyc.

These new awards were presented to the following six winners to recognize outstanding Canadian individuals, teams and organizations whose exceptional and transformative work help shape our future and positively impact our quality of life.

Mark Torchia and Richard Tyc, Winnipeg, Manitoba, are the creators of the NeuroBlate System, a medical device that combines a novel laser probe system with real-time image guidance. Using magnetic resonance imaging and sophisticated software, the tool allows neurosurgeons in Canada and abroad to treat brain tumours and other intracranial targets in a minimally invasive way that also reduces post-operative care and health costs. Dr. Torchia and Mr. Tyc were nominated by the Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation.

Co-founded by Charles Deguire, Kinova, Boisbriand, Quebec, helps people push beyond their physical limitations and offers a more efficient and safer work environment in industrial settings. Kinova’s sleek, energy-efficient robotic arms are lightweight, quiet, unobtrusive and weather-resistant. Since its launch in 2010, the JACO arm has offered more autonomy, control and range of motion—as well as improved mental well-being—to Canadians with upper-body mobility restrictions. Kinova was nominated by the National Research Council Canada.

J. Breanne Everett, Calgary, Alberta, co-founded Orpyx Medical Technologies to develop her idea for shoe insoles that prompt patients with diabetic foot conditions to move their feet to improve blood flow. This unique, wearable technology has improved users’ quality of life and reduced health care costs by decreasing the risks of sores, infection and amputation caused by diabetes-related nerve damage and poor circulation. Dr. Everett was nominated by Mitacs.

Jeff Dahn, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and his dedicated team of researchers have pioneered the method of high-precision coulometry to rank the life span of Li-ion cells in a few weeks of testing. Not only has this development allowed researchers worldwide to speed up the R&D process and create a better and longer-lasting Li-ion cell, but it will also contribute to the switch of our energy sources from fossil fuels to renewable resources. Dr. Dahn was nominated by Universities Canada.

Dr. Gilles G. Patry, President and CEO of Canada Foundation for Innovation, one of the Founding Partners, delivered brief remarks and read the citation of each winner.

Robert E. Burrell's, Edmonton, Alberta, Acticoat is the first burn dressing to simultaneously kill bacteria and decrease inflammation. This revolutionized approach to wound care increases healing rates, reduces the need for skin grafts and cuts down on long-term scar management issues. With his innovation, he has saved thousands of lives and limbs around the world. Dr. Burrell was nominated by Universities Canada.

Christi Belcourt, Espanola, Ontario, uses cutting-edge applied arts and design and new technologies in an effort to raise awareness and to create momentum toward innovative societal change while respecting traditional protocols and ancestral cultural traditions. Her initiatives relate to a wide range of social issues and she champions forward-looking collaborations that are models of respectful partnerships and principled adaptation of Indigenous cultural influence. Ms. Belcourt was nominated by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Mr. Tom Jenkins, Co-Chair of the GGIA Advisory Committee and initiator of the awards, also delivered remarks.

"These awards were created to celebrate that spirit of achievement, and to inspire future innovators to use their creativity to help others. We want to strengthen the culture of innovation in Canada. Some of the world’s top innovators live among us, yet we don’t share our stories or celebrate that fact enough."