Toronto, Ontario, December 3, 2015 – Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (“OBIO®”) announced today that MPPs from the three major parties have come together to work on policy initiatives to strengthen Ontario’s Health Science industry. Guided by the output of OBIO’s 2015 consultations with both local and multinational Health Science companies, the caucus will work on policies to attract investment, build an experienced workforce and position Ontario as a choice location for innovative companies to create the jobs of the future solving global healthcare challenges.
“Industry has given us hours of thoughtful insights throughout our consultations and it is very rewarding to be standing at the place where we begin turning insights into action” said Gail Garland, CEO OBIO “The MPP Health Science Caucus has made a commitment to our industry and it is really exciting to see this group bring their ideas to the table, creating a true collaboration between Government and companies doing business in Ontario”
“OBIO has created a unique multi-party forum to educate MPPs and engage us in this important industry said Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MPP for Etobicoke North. “Our government has taken steps to support pre-market evaluations and early adoption of home-grown innovative health technologies and I look forward to furthering these issues with the Caucus”.
“The MPP Health Science Caucus gives us an opportunity to examine the issues facing small businesses in Ontario’s health technology sector and to think about opportunities to update programs and tax policies to generate growth and competitiveness.” said Monte McNaughton, MPP, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. “
“I have seen ways in which technology industries can build communities” added Catherine Fife MPP for Kitchener Waterloo “The Health Science Caucus is an important forum for helping ensure the Life Science industry is well positioned for building jobs and communities of the future while improving health.”
OBIO presented preliminary findings from its series of consultations with industry in November and plans to issue a final report in early 2016.
About the OBIO MPP Health Science Caucus
The OBIO MPP Health Science Caucus, formed in 2013, is made up of 4 representatives from each of the Liberal, Progressive Conservative and New Democratic Parties of Ontario. The Caucus meets quarterly to discuss issues facing Ontario’s Health Science Industry and to contribute solutions. Caucus meetings offer MPPs, corporate leaders and subject matter experts opportunities for briefings and debate.
About the Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization
The Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization engaged in the development of an integrated health innovation economy for Ontario and one that will become a global leader in providing health technology products and services to the international marketplace. OBIO advances this goal through advocacy, promotion and strategic leadership and via collaborative partnerships with industry, academia, patients and government. For more information, visit the OBIO website www.obio.ca and follow OBIO on Twitter @OntBioscience.
OBIO Contact
Gail Garland
President and Chief Executive Officer
gailgarland@obio.ca
416-848-6839 Ext 103