Facebook · October 30, 2026
AI will shape our economy, security and future. But if we don’t control our data, we risk giving away a critical national asset. Canada needs data sovereignty so Canadian data remains under Canadian control.
Your MP at Work
Kelly DeRidder on Canada's Innovation Capital
Kitchener Centre is known as Canada's Innovation Capital, and Kelly DeRidder is working to keep it that way. Kelly has a background in engineering and tech, and she brings that experience to Ottawa. She has spoken in the House of Commons about keeping the ideas and patents created in Canada working for Canadians, so that new technology can be built, owned and sold here at home.
Kelly also spends time in the riding with the people behind the technology. Recent visits include SmartTrace Software Development, SkyWatch Space Applications, Kromet International and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. She has also met with Wilfrid Laurier University president Deborah MacLatchy, joined the Waterloo Region Innovation Corridor Summit, and attended Women x Tech, hosted by Communitech. She has congratulated Dr. Amir Khajepour and Dr. Boxin Zhao of the University of Waterloo on being named Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.
On this page you will find Kelly's posts, videos and House of Commons speeches on innovation, newest first. They cover artificial intelligence, patents, and making sure Canadian companies like Miovision are part of big projects and supply chains. You can also read about her Tech Town Hall on July 9, with panelists including Jim Hinton, Intellijoint and SDG Labs.
95 posts, videos and speeches.
Facebook · October 25, 2026
Kitchener is Canada’s innovation capital, built on resilience, creativity, and determination. I’m proud to support initiatives that strengthen our local economy. If you need, assistance, please reach out to my office!
Facebook · October 25, 2026
Great to welcome Senator Jim Quinn to the Conservative Caucus and discuss how data and innovation can drive economic growth in Kitchener and across Atlantic Canada.
Facebook · October 19, 2026
Attention Kitchener Centre Innovators! 🚀 Applications are now open for funding to help businesses adopt AI, bring Canadian AI solutions to market, and scale their innovations. If you're looking to grow your business and embrace new technology, this could be an opportunity for… Read more
you!
Facebook · October 13, 2026
Oktoberfest is about more than the celebrations. It’s about the people, businesses and traditions that make Kitchener unique. We were pleased to host Germany In Canada German Ambassador Matthias Lüttenberg along side Dr. Matt Strauss for tours of WEICON, Bergman North America, … Read more
Finest Sausage and Meat, and Sproll’s Fine German Bakery. From clean technology to family-run businesses carrying on generations of German baking and sausage-making traditions, it was a great opportunity to showcase the local businesses that make our community special. Thank you to everyone who welcomed us!
Facebook · October 6, 2026
WOW!! Jim Balsillie’s $4.5 million donation to support local food banks is an incredible investment in our community. We need more people like Jim stepping up, while also creating the conditions that allow people to build a good life, find opportunity and stay here in Canada. … Read more
This is the amazing thing that happens in community when we have globally competitive companies, headquartered right here in Kitchener!
Facebook · October 3, 2026
If Canada doesn’t build, we risk becoming dependent on others for the technology shaping our future. As Canada's Innovation Capital, Kitchener Centre, we need to create a Canada where companies can build, monetize and scale here at home. I will continue to push for policies that… Read more
make it happen.
Facebook · October 1, 2026
Canada should be a place where entrepreneurs want to build, grow and stay. We need to remove the barriers that are pushing Canadian talent and investment south and make Canada the freest, lowest-taxed and simplest place to build a business. We are Canada’s Innovation Capital he… Read more
re in Kitchener and our entrepreneur's need an environment that they can thrive.
Facebook · July 28, 2026
Canada has the talent, developers, and ability to build world-class technology. True digital sovereignty requires control over our own infrastructure and data. If we rely on foreign cloud providers and laws, we aren’t truly in control of our digital future.
Facebook · July 27, 2026
Great to visit SmartTrace Software Development, a Kitchener Centre based company developing advanced heat trace monitoring and control technology across Canada and the United States.💻 Local innovators like SmartTrace showcase the talent and technology being built right here in … Read more
our community.
Facebook · July 23, 2026
🚀This week’s Local Business Feature is SkyWatch Space Applications! Right here in Kitchener Centre, they're using cutting-edge space technology to make Earth observation data more accessible around the world. It's exciting to see local innovation making a global impact. Thank … Read more
you for everything you do to help put Kitchener Centre on the map!
Facebook · July 20, 2026
I’ve been ensuring that Canadian companies are part of the supply chain when it comes to international procurement, I will be watching and paying close attention to if our Canadian companies will be part of the new contracts, supply chain eco system.
Facebook · July 18, 2026
AI can be a powerful tool to help improve our communities. Using technology to identify and analyze potholes could help cities make smarter decisions, respond faster, and keep our infrastructure in better shape. Innovation should be part of building the communities of tomorrow.
Facebook · July 5, 2026
Building Canada's future starts with innovation. Great conversations at the Waterloo Region Innovation Corridor Summit on growing our economy, supporting local talent, and making sure Canadian businesses have what they need to compete, create, and lead. 🇨🇦
Facebook · June 29, 2026
Kitchener Centre is Canada's Innovation Capital. Join me for a Tech Town Hall to share your ideas, challenges, and priorities for the future of Canada's tech sector. July 9, 6-8pm. RSVP at the link in bio.
House of Commons · June 11, 2026
House of Commons
Thank you, Chair. Thank you, everybody, for coming today. Ms. O'Born, Kitchener Centre is Canada's innovation capital, with many companies that are developing innovative technologies for both civilian and defence applications. The survey you mentioned today identified almost … Read more
430 Canadian companies developing dual-use technologies, yet few are supplying the Canadian government. Why is there such a significant gap between what Canadian firms are capable of providing and what government is actually procuring?
House of Commons · June 11, 2026
House of Commons
Thank you. You've noted that many Canadian firms are finding greater success selling to foreign governments. I have a couple of examples. Right in Kitchener are Alchemy and SkyWatch. What are the long-term implications of that trend going to be for Canadian sovereignty, industr… Read more
ial capacity and defence readiness?
House of Commons · June 8, 2026
House of Commons
I'll be sure to look at it because I want to read through it myself. Thank you. You also mentioned that we don't have a lot of pharmaceutical companies in Canada, and you'd love to see more. I think really great examples for ensuring that we retain our IP in Canada do come out … Read more
of the pharmaceutical world. For example, penicillin and Ozempic were both Canadian inventions, but we didn't retain the IP and didn't see the economic impact. I appreciate my colleagues' questions, as well, about Canadians being unsure of AI and what the future holds. IP retention, in the future, is a very critical component to ensure that we see the economic impact of AI and digital innovation moving forward. Do you see a strong strategy and plan, right now, from the scientific standpoint, to ensure that our universities and researchers are educating our entrepreneurs and developers on the importance of IP retention for Canadian economic impact?
House of Commons · June 8, 2026
House of Commons
Thank you, Chair. Thank you for coming today. You mentioned in your opening speech that you were giving advice on rapid technological change and focusing on digital sovereignty. We've been long recognized as a leader in AI and digital innovation research, but I hear concerns … Read more
and I see that we lag in commercialization. From a scientific and innovation standpoint, what barriers continue to prevent Canadian discoveries from becoming Canadian companies and Canadian jobs?
House of Commons · June 8, 2026
House of Commons
Thank you. It's a bit concerning to me to hear that you gave your advice on the AI strategy but it hasn't been talked about or implemented into the strategy, and now a new minister is coming and asking for that same advice. I think it needed to be a part of the “AI for all” str… Read more
ategy that the minister just came out with. Kitchener Centre has been long recognized as Canada's innovation capital with our research, our start-ups and our innovators. From your perspective, how can our government do better to ensure that regions like this are better included in development and commercialization in Canada?
Facebook · June 3, 2026
Join us on July 9 for our Tech Townhall! Our panelists include Jim Hinton, Intellijoint, SDG Labs and more! RSVP through the link in bio!
Facebook · May 19, 2026
Congratulations to University of Waterloo engineering professors Dr. Amir Khajepour and Dr. Boxin Zhao on being elected Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, one of the profession’s highest honours. A proud achievement for Waterloo Region!
Facebook · May 19, 2026
Great touring Kromet International and seeing firsthand the manufacturing expertise in the Waterloo Region. Our region is perfectly positioned for dual-use applications, and initiatives like this will keep driving jobs and innovation.
Facebook · May 15, 2026
The University of Waterloo Trust in Research Undertaken in Science and Technology (TruST) Network and Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) hosted an afternoon symposium where Canadian experts who are working at the intersection of Health and AI gathered.
Help Kelly keep working for Kitchener Centre
Kelly's work in Ottawa is backed by volunteers and supporters here at home. A monthly donation of any size keeps the local team going, and political contributions earn a generous federal tax credit.