Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 319 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DE LA TECHNOLOGIE DE L’INFORMATION ITAC on Digital Economy | Page 4 THE VOICE OF THE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) SECTOR IN CANADA | www.itac.ca Help inform and inspire businesses The Conference Board of Canada notes that Canadian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often not aware of: • the technologies they should be adopting, and • how technology could improve their operations.7 Conclusion Despite Canada’s world-leading infrastructure, ICT adoption across Canadian businesses and citizens significantly lags behind other countries, resulting in lower business productivity and reduced prosperity for Canadians. To ensure a strong and successful Innovation Agenda, the Government must take a lead role in spurring adoption across the nation—demonstrating the benefits of technology across all sectors, while simultaneously investing in the next generation of digital infrastructure. To address this, the government should find ways to inform, inspire and support SMEs. As an example, this could include creating tax supports for technology consultants working with SMEs, and launching technology demonstration facilities and test factories to help SMEs see firsthand how their operations could be transformed. 7 Conference Board of Canada. Adopting Digital Technologies: The Path for SMEs. 2014. http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/doc/irap-pari/dtapp-ppatn/resources-ressources/ REPORT_6029_adoptingdigitaltechnologies_en.pdf As Canada’s national ICT business association, the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) champions the development of a robust and sustainable digital economy in Canada. A vital connection between business and government, we provide our members with the advocacy, networking and professional development services that help them to thrive nationally and compete globally. A prominent advocate for the expansion of Canada’s innovative capacity, ITAC encourages technology adoption to capitalize on productivity and performance opportunities across all sectors. A member-driven not-for-profit, ITAC has served as the authoritative national voice of the $170 billion ICT industry for over 60 years. More than 36,000 Canadian ICT firms create and supply goods and services that contribute to a more productive, competitive, and innovative society. The ICT sector generates one million jobs directly and indirectly and invests $4.9 billion annually in R&D, more than any other private sector performer. © 2016 Information Technology Association of Canada Summary of Recommendations: Digital Economy 1. Create a digital infrastructure by: • standardizing and increasing the CCA to 50% for ICT classes of assets • seeking out industry and government partners to enable 5G in Canada • expanding the definition of “infrastructure” to include “digital” (e.g., telecommunications networks and core supporting technologies) 2. Provide telehealth services and e-learning opportunities to all Canadians by: • investing $30 million over three years to Canada Health Infoway • integrating e-learning components into all Federal education programs and initiatives 3. Demystify technology to encourage adoption by: • developing a strategic Internet of Things approach, similar to competing countries • doing more to educate Canadians and businesses on cyber security • finding ways to support SMEs to adopt technology