Thank you.
Mr. Balsillie, as the MP for Kitchener Centre—Canada's innovation capital—I consistently see how the current government is crushing our innovations' economic potential. Something you said really struck me today.
You appeared here at this committee in March 2023 and recommended building capacity for a knowledge-based, data-driven economy. Since then, almost three years later, not one policy has been created to meet the needs of a strategic orientation.
On top of that, your warning of $100 billion lost annually from unowned IP really hits home. It hits home because Kitchener start-ups are directly impacted by red tape, high taxes, no IP strategy and a lack of policy, which is preventing investment.
Where is this failure coming from? What can be done to fully unleash Kitchener's innovation engine and reverse the damage of this lost decade?
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House of Commons
House of Commons · November 3, 2025
More of Kelly's work
House of Commons · November 3, 2025
House of Commons
I absolutely agree that it's a philanthropic world. That being said, you have added tremendous value to our community. You founded the Centre for International Governance Innovation. You also have the Balsillie School of International Affairs, which is a collaboration between our… Read more
universities and your foundation to develop policy. You also gave $10 million to our Perimeter Institute, which helped it open. It is literally one of our driving forces of local innovation and tech in Kitchener. On top of that, you've supported our cancer centre at Grand River Hospital and our Waterloo Regional Children's Museum. You are the example of success when the IP stays in Canada. You can innovate, monetize and scale in the communities where this innovation is developed. What has changed or has not been done in the national landscape that causes companies to no longer be able to monetize and scale here, and what causes them to head south instead?
Facebook · November 4, 2025
This morning, I had the opportunity to sit down with Habitat for Humanity in my office to talk about home ownership, renting, and some of the incredible projects they’re leading in Kitchener Centre and Waterloo region. Habitat for Humanity and access to safe, affordable housing … Read more
is an issue that’s always been close to my heart, long before I became the MP for Kitchener Centre, and I'm very excited to be working further with them in my role. I’m grateful for the ongoing work they do to make home ownership a reality for more families, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate on building a more affordable future for everyone.
House of Commons · November 5, 2025
House of Commons
Thank you. I'll be splitting my time with Mr. Baldinelli today because of the change. My question, through you, Chair, is for Gabriel. You mentioned funding for accelerator programs, which I don't disagree with at all. There are three wonderful accelerator programs in my commu… Read more
nity. The problem I see, though, is that we do a very good job of incubating and educating, but because of the current climate—high taxes and red tape—scaling-up isn't happening, so B and C funding isn't available to these start-ups. We're paying taxes to promote and incubate these companies, but then they're leaving Canada because it's easier to scale up in, say, the United States. What do you think would be a solution to that? How can we make more of an investment climate for scalability here in Canada so there isn't a negative net return on our investments, as things stand today?
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