Research and Development in New Brunswick: A History of the Research and Productivity Council

Created by the Government of New Brunswick in 1962, the Research and Productivity Council (RPC) quickly took its place among Canada’s provincial research organizations. RPC’s mission would be to bring organized research, development, and technological innovation to New Brunswick and, specifically, to “stimulate and expedite continuing improvements in productive efficiency and expansion in various sectors of New Brunswick’s economy.” In carrying out its mandate, RPC has helped industry develop and advance, supplying everything from analysis and testing, to expert assistance with the full product/process development cycle – from concept to commercialization. Although not among the first of Canada’s RTOs to be established, RPC has evolved to become one of the most enduring, and one of the nation’s leaders in the modern approach to technological innovation. This book traces the evolution of RPC through several distinct eras comprising its Building Years (1962-1969), its Growing Years (1970-1983), Commercial Years (1983-2004), and Entrepreneurial Years (2004-2020).