A recent Globe
and Mail article makes an interesting tie between Steve Jobs and Canada.
The article starts by discussing the difference between invention and
innovation. The article states that Job’s accomplishments came through the
innovation and improvement of already invented products. Apple didn’t invent
the touch screen, mouse, or smart phone. However, his ability to use the
technology of those products and innovate something creative from them led to the
magnificent success of Apple. The article believes that Canadian government
needs to focus more on innovation to stay modernized. “With global competition
and low-cost jurisdictions like China, India and Brazil more quickly than ever
before replicating and producing at lower costs everything we do, we need to be
an innovation nation.” I believe the article makes several valid points. Canada
is facing stiffer competition with foreign states who produce the same product
at a lower price; for example, Sheer-Wood shifting production from Canada to
China to reduce costs. Canada does not need to invent a new way to keep
producers producing in Canada – rather they need to innovate old ways to entice
producers to stay local. How to do this? That is up to the great minds in
Ottawa.