For Immediate Release

December 9, 2016 — Kitchener, Ontario — Public Services and Procurement Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to growing the economy and the middle class, and helping those working hard to join it. Through the Build in Canada Innovation Program, the Government of Canada is investing in Canadian innovations to create inclusive and sustainable economic growth for communities across Canada.

Raj Saini, Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Judy M. Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, today announced that the Government of Canada is investing in a made‑in‑Canada game-based learning innovation.

Desire2Learn (D2L), of Kitchener, Ontario, received a $163,275 contract for its Game-Based Learning System. The innovation helps instructors teach and assess learning through engaging game-based learning activities. This approach can be used by trainers and learners in many different areas, for example, employee orientation, compliance, health and safety, call centre and technical training applications. The innovation is being tested by Public Services and Procurement Canada to improve how information on government contracting is shared with small and medium enterprises.

The investment was made through the Build in Canada Innovation Program, which helps Canadian innovators land their first sale and get their innovations tested by the Government of Canada. This program is just one of the many ways the Government of Canada supports innovation and small and medium-sized businesses across the country.

Canadian innovators can submit their proposals on the Build in Canada Innovation Program’s website.

Quotes

“D2L’s innovation helps instructors teach and assess learning through interactive game-based activities. Our Government is committed to growing the economy and the middle class, and helping those working hard to join it. By matching innovative products with government needs, the Build in Canada Innovation Program helps Canadian companies move their products from the testing phase to the marketplace.”

The Honourable Judy M. Foote
Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“This innovation is useful for instructors and learners to make learning fun and engaging. Through the Build in Canada Innovation Program, the Government of Canada is helping companies like D2L get their first sale on innovative goods and services, so they can move from the lab into domestic and international markets.”

Raj Saini
Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre

“BCIP is helping us create an innovative new way to use gaming techniques in learning that will reach millions of students in educational institutions and help employers improve learning in the workplace for leadership/management development as well as safety compliance and technical skills. We couldn’t achieve this without the support of BCIP.”

John Baker, CEO
D2L (Desire2Learn)

Quick Facts

• D2L is a global leader in educational technology. The company partners with leading organizations to deliver personalized learning through data and technology.
• D2L’s platform is used by more than 1,100 clients and 13 million individual learners in higher education, elementary and high school, healthcare, government and the enterprise sector.
• More than 200 contracts have been awarded under the Build in Canada Innovation Program, bringing Canadian companies one step closer to selling to domestic and international markets.
• Over $75 million has been awarded in contracts since the Build in Canada Innovation Program began in 2010.

– 30 –

Associated Links

Build in Canada Innovation Program

Contacts

Annie Trépanier
Office of the Honourable Judy M. Foote
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501
media@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

 Follow us on Twitter.

 Follow us on Facebook.