At OSPE, our advocacy work is shaped by the insights and priorities of our members, and right now, we’re considering an idea that could be a game-changer for Ontario’s innovation economy.
Recently, we were invited to review a proposal to extend the federal flow-through share tax incentive beyond resource extraction and into the tech and innovation sectors. It’s a bold idea that could boost investment in start-ups, cleantech, cybersecurity, AI, and engineering-led R&D—particularly in the GTHA–Kitchener-Waterloo mega region.
But before we take a formal position, we want your input.
What’s the Big Idea?
Flow-through shares have long been used in Canada’s mining and energy sectors to attract private investment by allowing companies to “flow through” tax deductions to investors. Extending this model to tech and innovation could:
- Incentivize early-stage investment in engineering-heavy sectors like cleantech, manufacturing, and advanced AI.
- Drive commercialization of Canadian research and engineering innovation.
- Help build globally competitive ecosystems across Ontario’s innovation corridor.
For OSPE, this could also be a strategic opportunity to align with our broader advocacy goals around economic resilience, investment incentives, and engineering job growth.
We’re exploring whether this policy direction aligns with your interests and with OSPE’s mandate to elevate the voice of engineers in shaping Ontario’s economy.
Some key questions we’re considering:
- Would this encourage more engineering-led ventures and innovation?
- Could it help engineers attract capital for new technologies and ideas?
- Should OSPE advocate for new tax incentives that promote engineering entrepreneurship?
What do you think—should OSPE advocate for flow-through shares in the innovation and tech sectors? Do you see value in pushing for more investor incentives in engineering-driven fields?
Let us know by replying to advocacy@ospe.on.ca or sharing your thoughts with us directly on social media using the hashtag #EngineersForInnovation.
Your voice helps shape our advocacy strategy, and this could be an exciting new frontier to build together.
Comment (1)
Flow through shares for the mining and energy sectors made sense when they were introduced. However, as we move towards a more knowledge based economy (while maintaining our natural resource sectors), we need to stimulate R&D and innovation in the same way that flow through shares promoted the mining and energy sectors.
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