The Canada government is strengthening its commitment to innovation and regional economic growth with a new investment aimed at advancing Francophone and bilingual digital health solutions. The funding is designed to support organizations that help businesses transform ideas into market-ready innovations while creating jobs and improving healthcare outcomes.
On behalf of Evan Solomon, the Honourable Mona Fortier announced an investment of over $815,000 for the Institut du Savoir Montfort to expand the capacity of the Montfort Innovation Lab. The initiative is supported through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
The expanded lab will enable up to 20 businesses in the digital health sector to accelerate the development and commercialization of their technologies. Participants will benefit from strategic guidance, access to frontline clinicians, applied research expertise, and real-world clinical environments across the healthcare ecosystem. This hands-on approach is expected to help demonstrate the effectiveness of new digital health solutions, particularly for Francophone communities.
The investment will also enhance collaboration within the regional innovation ecosystem by connecting businesses with key partners such as Invest Ottawa, Capital BioVentures, Hawkesbury General Hospital, Bruyère Health, CHEO, The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, the University of Ottawa, and Collège La Cité.
By fostering partnerships and supporting entrepreneurship in a bilingual innovation environment, the initiative aims to accelerate access to resources, strengthen the digital health sector, and deliver inclusive, high-quality healthcare solutions for Canadians.
