McMaster’s commitment to innovation key to jobs and economy: Premier

Premier Kathleen Wynne visited the McMaster Innovation Park to learn more about how the University is contributing to Ontario’s economic and jobs growth and to provide an update on the province’s financial plan.

“I love this space!” Wynne exclaimed as she took the podium and looked up through the open atrium to survey her extended audience along the railings of the floors above her.

Dozens of people had stepped out of their offices and labs in the upper floors to hear the premier speak, while dozens of academic, government, business and community leaders filled the open lobby below.

Before her presentation, Wynne had toured the facilities of The Forge and talked with entrepreneurs who are working in the business accelerator to launch projects such as the CareKit and Chipsetter, which she held up as examples of Ontario’s increasingly diverse economy.

Wynne enthusiastically described meeting entrepreneurs who are growing their ideas into viable, productive businesses. She smiled as she said she had just learned how entrepreneurs at The Forge were solving problems she hadn’t even known existed.

“There are so many ideas you are coming up with,” she said.

Wynne, who spent the balance of the morning at the Longwood Road facility, presented an update on the province’s progress in such areas as expanding rapid transit in Hamilton and elsewhere, improving access to post-secondary education, addressing climate change and privatizing the majority of Hydro One – a decision she described as complex but necessary.