Innovation Lag in Canada: It's the Culture
Another article came out today highlighting Canada's lag in innovation. Canada received a "D" in innovation and ranked 13th out of 16 peer countries. Its neighbor to the south received an "A" and ranked 3rd. As an American ex-pat who moved to Canada in my thirties, it's not a mystery to me why Canada lags behind in innovation. I can understand why it's a puzzle to outsiders and to Canadians who haven't spent years living in the U.S. They may ponder why a wealthy country with a relatively healthy and stable economy, abundant natural resources, affordable and good education, and the benefits of living next to a world economic power isn't more innovative. I would tell them: It's the culture . When we first moved to Canada from California in 2001, my husband (also an American) and I assumed it was going to be much like the U.S., only better, with fewer guns and universal healthcare. It didn't take long to notice just how big a cultural gap ...