The Council of Canadian Innovators says the federal government needs to bolster technology and innovation to counter the uncertainty created by the trade war with the U.S.

The council released its “Mandate to Innovate” policy blueprint for economic growth in Canada last week.

Council President Benjamin Bergen says now is the time for Canada to set “a bold new course for innovation and productivity” to strengthen the economy.

Bergen says an independent innovation agency is needed, along with a national push to compete head-to-head with the U.S. for the world’s top talent and investment.

He says without greater funding Canada is vulnerable to losing some of its top talent to the U.S.

“Having the best and brightest within your jurisdiction is critical. Canada is only behind China and India when it comes to actually exporting our top innovators or thinkers to the United States, and both of those countries are much larger than Canada,” he told Tim Powers on VOCM.

“So that’s a huge drain in terms of a lot of our brilliant people that are leaving the country. So one thing we’ve got to figure out is how do we support domestic innovators to stay here.”