The Jenkins Panel is calling for the creation a new Innovation Advisory Council (IAC) that engages the government at the highest level and makes its advice public except in cases where transparency is constrained by the tax code or threatens business confidentiality. The IAC would replace the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) which does not publicly divulge the nature or contents of its advice to government.

Panel chair Tom Jenkins says the new body should issue public reports and meet with the prime minister and finance minister at least once a year to discuss its views on innovation. It would have two standing subcommittees focused on supply-push and demand-pull activities.

"In our recommendation, we basically said, take STIC … make it transparent, make it public and make it a body that interacts with the very senior leadership. We heard that recommendation loud and clear … make its recommendations open for all Canadians," says Jenkins, executive chairman and chief strategy officer for Waterloo-based Open Text Corp.

The concept of the IAC was informed by the structure and political clout of the G-13 — Canada's top research intensive universities — and the high level of access they enjoy on Parliament Hill. The new body complements the Panel's call to establish an Industrial Research and Innovation Council (IRIC), with the IAC providing strategy advice and IRIC focused on effective and efficient implementation of policy advice through the delivery of all business innovation support programs.

"What we're saying is, what has evolved in the academic world would be a very wise thing for the industrial one," says Jenkins.

In addition to providing confidential advice to the Industry minister, STIC issues a comprehensive and public State of the Nation report on innovation every two years.

STIC chair Dr Howard Alper was not available for comment for this article.

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