In 2026, Quebec remains recognized as a key player in innovation on the global stage. However, the results of the 2026 Quebec Innovation Survey conducted by the Conseil de l’innovation du Quebec reveal a more nuanced reality: Quebec companies are innovating, but they are struggling to fully translate these efforts into tangible gains in productivity, growth, and competitiveness.
This situation is particularly concerning in a context where international pressure is intensifying and manufacturers must navigate structural challenges such as labor shortages, market volatility, and rising operating costs.
One of the most striking findings of the survey is the significant drop in the number of companies undertaking innovation initiatives. In 2024, 69% of companies reported innovating, compared to only 55% in 2026, a 14-point decline in just two years.
Compared to other provinces, Quebec now lags behind British Columbia (64%) and Alberta (59%). Even more concerning, 26% of Québec companies report no intention to innovate over the next three years, posing a direct risk to medium-term competitiveness.
The survey clearly confirms that innovation is a key performance driver. Companies that innovate double their chances of achieving annual growth of 5% or more from 23% to 45% in Quebec. Similar trends are observed across Canada, with even stronger performance in Ontario and Western provinces.
However, Quebec still lags in its ability to fully capture the value of innovation. In terms of productivity, innovative Quebec companies are only 1.2 times more likely to anticipate gains, compared to 1.8 times in Ontario and 1.6 times in British Columbia.
This gap is significant. It suggests that the issue is not innovation itself, but rather how it is implemented, integrated, and leveraged within operations.
Contrary to common perception, the main barrier to innovation is not primarily financial. Among companies that have not undertaken innovation projects, 49% say they simply do not see the need. This highlights a fundamental issue related to organizational culture.
Operational constraints also play a role, particularly in manufacturing. Labor availability is identified as a barrier by 33% of companies, while 28% report a lack of skills or expertise. These factors limit the ability to initiate and sustain meaningful innovation initiatives.
Access to private funding is also more limited in Quebec. Only 30% of innovative companies rely on it, compared to over 50% in some other Canadian provinces. As a result, many companies must fund projects internally, restricting their scale and impact.
In this context, robotics and automation stand out as highly effective levers to turn innovation into measurable results. Unlike more abstract initiatives, they deliver fast and tangible gains.
A robotic cell can help stabilize quality, increase production output, reduce dependency on labor, and improve operational predictability. These benefits directly address the key barriers identified in the survey, particularly workforce challenges and productivity issues.
One of the report’s key findings relates to the maturity of innovation culture. Only 16% of Quebec companies are considered to have a “mature” innovation culture. Yet this maturity has a direct impact: 87% of companies with a mature culture carry out innovation projects, compared to only 68% among those with emerging cultures. The 2026 Innovation Survey sends a clear message: Quebec does not have an innovation problem it has an impact problem. Companies are innovating, but they are not maximizing the returns from their efforts.
For manufacturers, the challenge is to move from isolated innovation initiatives to a structured, results-driven approach. This means accelerating technology adoption, strengthening innovation culture, and partnering with experts to deploy effective solutions. In an increasingly competitive global environment, the ability to transform innovation into operational performance is becoming a decisive factor. Companies that succeed in this transition will be those that fully leverage the opportunities offered by robotics, automation, and intelligent technologies.
Sources Images et rapport : Conseil Innovation Québec