From R&D to Export

Abstract

Abstract Canola is one of Canada’s top agricultural exports, contributing an estimated $25 billion to Canada’s economy annually. To become the boon canola is today, a series of public and private investments had to be made in research and development. This chapter chronicles the many ways public, private, and non-profit actors coordinated to achieve continuous innovation in the canola sector. Salient public policy instruments included public goods, financial support, and a favourable regulatory environment. In the early period, government and universities were directly involved in canola development. As time went on, government involvement was limited to a supportive role intended to facilitate industry-led co-production, which gave industry actors incentive to adapt to changing circumstances. Yet, because the approach taken to canola development has been criticized in some quarters, and because not every investment paid off, the case is best classified as a ‘resilient success’ according to the programmatic, political, process, and endurance (PPPE) assessment criteria used in this volume. The case serves as an example of successful innovation and industrial policy in a liberal setting.