The Made in Canada Project: Canada’s Superclusters Respond to COVID-19

The Made in Canada Project is our government’s ongoing effort to retool and invest in key areas of our economy to support the fight against COVID-19. We want to make sure we have what it takes to get through the current crisis, but also to ensure our economy is nimble and prepared to take on future challenges.

We’ve always understood that the key to success is collaboration, and to seek the best possible advice when making decisions. Our five Canadian Superclusters were created in the spirit of collaboration; bringing together experts in their respective fields to create high quality jobs, finance promising projects and start ups, and help Canada become a global leader in the innovation space.

When we launched the Made In Canada Project, we understood how important it was that we consult with the Superclusters and seek their advice on promising COVID-19 projects.

The immediate response from members and organizations across the country was extraordinary, with over 2,800 project proposals submitted through the Next Generation Manufacturing, Digital Technology and Scale AI Superclusters to date. Some were related to better understanding and tracking the virus, some were instrumental in the health and safety of our essential and frontline healthcare workers, while others present new, exciting technological tools to monitor our health, and to access essential services. I’m excited today to share a few of these exceptional examples with you.

Digital Technology Supercluster: Made in Canada projects

Since the launch of their COVID-19 Program in March, the Digital Technology Supercluster received over 600 project proposals. Here are a few really interesting examples of projects they are funding:

 Digital Mental Health Tools for Healthcare Workers Providing COVID-19 Care 

The Starling Minds: Digital Mental Health Tools for Frontline Healthcare Workers – COVID-19 and Beyond project is working to deliver personalized mental healthcare to workers through a digital suite of readily accessible and interactive tools. This project aims to establish a strong foundation for healthcare organizations to safeguard frontline workers’ mental health, who are the foundation of a high-functioning healthcare system.

The project is led by Starling Minds with contributions from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Genome BC, with project participants within the healthcare, education, market intelligence, and workers compensation sectors.

Global Clinical Network for Infectious Diseases

The first global platform that empowers healthcare organizations to collaborate and improve the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. Led by Spectrum Mobile Health, the project brings together Alberta Health Services, Enso Strategic and Creative Partners, Horizon Health Network, Massive Change Network, National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Unity Technologies, and Vitalite Health Network.

The network will link hospitals to allow them to view guidelines developed by institutions across the globe, access their epidemiological datasets, and subscribe to updates. Hospitals can adapt and use those guidelines, and the system will help them communicate directly with front-line healthcare providers through their mobile devices and computers. 

Scale AI Supercluster: Made In Canada Projects

Faced with the urgency posed by the COVID-19 crisis, Scale AI also launched a call for projects to find ideas and solutions that can help Canada meet this challenge by leveraging technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

One of the projects they’re supporting is led by AlayaCare with Polytechnique Montréal and Bien Chez Soi, and uses artificial intelligence to assist in COVID-19 triaging by identifying clients or home healthcare workers who may have been infected.

Another exciting project supports the Rapid distribution capacity of essential cargo through the The Montreal Port Authority and CargoM. This AI-based solution enables the optimization of identification and prioritization of critical cargo arriving by container at the Port of Montreal to ensure rapid distribution of essential goods (medical equipment, food) in the current COVID-19 context.

Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster: Made in Canada Projects

To ensure our safe return to work, school, and the safety of essential and healthcare workers, the Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster has funded projects from Advanced Intelligent Systems, A&K Robotics, Clearpath Robotics, CrossWing and GlobalDWS to create large scale disinfection robots!

Advanced Intelligent Sytems' disinfection robot

Another amazing innovation comes from Myant, which has developed a textile-based monitoring system for patients and frontline healthcare workers. Their “smart garment” technology has the ability to read and collect biometrics from the user’s body via sensors.

Not only are these projects vital to the fight against COVID-19, they represent incredible examples of Canadian ingenuity that can change the way the world operates. These technologies have broad and exciting applications across sectors, and can be scaled up to create jobs and compete in the global market.

I am so proud of how Canadians have come together and harnessed their curiosity and innovative spirit to help their fellow Canadians.