Everybody’s ultimate dream is a simpler, safer world, and thanks to technology, the dream is coming true. While technological innovations are almost synonymous with Silicon Valley, Canada has proven to be a tech giant.
Interestingly, Canada has been on the frontline of innovation since the 18th century. For instance, electricity was invented by Henry Woodward, a Canadian who later sold the patent. Besides the large pool of skilled labor, favorable government policies have made it possible for Canada to take up the tech space.
Government Support
Canada has only managed to rise to a technological giant through government support. For instance, the Canadian government allocated $1.26 billion to a fund to enhance collaboration between various sectors.
Besides, the Canadian government designed a visionary plan to address the shortage of labor. With Canadian tech companies paying handsomely, more and more people are willing to relocate to Canada.
It is also easier for tech companies to secure funding. Besides getting funding from venture capitalists, tech companies can also get money from the government’s funding programs. Such programs include the Sustainable Development tech fund and the Industrial Research Assistance Program tech funding.
Cloud and Quantum Computing
In the recent past, Canada’s artificial arena has been shaping up. For instance, Microsoft acquired Maluuba, a Montreal based start-up in 2017. Maluuba is renowned for its role in concepts such as deep learning and artificial intelligence.
Besides Maluuba, Montreal is also home to Element AI, a company that attracted over $100 million to make advancements in AI technologies. Facebook, too, acknowledged Montreal’s irresistible charm and chose it for its research lab to enhance artificial intelligence.
It is now beyond a reasonable doubt that Canada is the paramount center for artificial intelligence. Its conducive environment has also seen the country attract companies investing in the block-chain technology.
Other Innovations that Impacted the World
While there are endless technological innovations from Canada, some have attracted the world’s attention.
1. BlackBerry
Blackberry laid the groundwork for the now popular smartphone era. Initially, it was known as Research in Motion and was founded by two students, Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin. BlackBerry phones were especially popular since they could access email. Although the Canadian company has reduced in popularity, it revolutionized the world’s tech industry.
2. Imax
Film lovers have got Canada to thank for the incredible Imax experience. The film company started in Montreal, Canada, as an experiment. Little did the four co-founders know that their invention would go global. Imax built its first permanent theatre in 1971, which still stands up to date.
3. Motorized Wheelchair
Propelling a wheelchair manually can be quite fatiguing, especially over long distances or rough terrain. Seeing how injured veterans suffered after the Second World War, George Klein invented a motorized model. At the time of its invention, George was working at the National Research Council of Canada. Although he only had the war veterans in mind, his concept has been modified over the years to help people with mobility challenges all over the world.
4. The Canadarm
The Canadarm was invented in 1981 in Canada. The mechanical arm was used by NASA to carry out various activities, such as moving cargo, maintaining equipment, and positioning astronauts.
Although it was only in use for three decades, Canadarm paved the way for other robotics innovations. The Canadarm also marked Canada’s territory as a leader in innovation.
A Bright Horizon
Canada has very friendly immigration policies, making it easier for tech enthusiasts from all over the world to move. Besides, Canada has a state of the art research institutions, guaranteeing a bright future for the country’s innovation arena.
