Toronto, Canada – January 16, 2025
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) has announced the launch of The Canadian SHIELD Institute, a new policy institute dedicated to advancing Canada’s economic resilience and security. Focused on Securing Homegrown Innovation, Economic Leadership, and Defence, the institute will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to address critical challenges and create forward-thinking solutions.
The institute launches with an initial $10 million donation from Jim Balsillie, Co-Founder and Chair of CCI. It aims to scale its impact through collaboration with industry pioneers, visionaries and philanthropists to develop and encourage new ideas and solutions. “Canada needs institutions that deliver relevant ideas tailored to today’s economic and security realities, not outdated approaches rooted in the 1970s,” Balsillie said.
Building on CCI’s history of influential policy work, The Canadian SHIELD Institute will address priority areas such as economic sovereignty, national security, transformative tax policy, and governance modernization. It will also focus on critical sectors including energy, housing, and technology. The institute’s vision is to position Canada as a global leader in innovation while strengthening domestic economic sovereignty.
“The Canadian SHIELD Institute is our answer to the growing demand for deeper industry engagement and bold, forward-thinking solutions to safeguard Canada’s long-term prosperity,” said Benjamin Bergen, President of CCI. “As Canada faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges, we stand at a crossroads for rebuilding resilience and growth.”
The institute will host events, publish research, and provide policy recommendations, acting as a hub for collaboration and impactful ideas. “This new institute will be a key forum for discussions, research, and ideas,” said John Ruffolo, Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of CCI, emphasizing the business community has a “strong appetite” to actively contribute to Canada’s renewal.
For more information about CCI and The Canadian SHIELD Institute, visit their websites at www.canadianinnovators.org and www.canadianshieldinstitute.ca.