Canada’s innovation advantage is its people. We have the world’s most highly educated population and a labour force of skilled and motivated individuals. Yet, Canada’s innovation performance continues to lag behind that of global peers, threatening our long-term prosperity and well-being. While Canada’s talent advantage is strong, opportunities exist to improve and sharpen the skills and knowledge Canadians need to address innovation challenges and opportunities more effectively. Success in innovation-driven, knowledge-based economies requires more than smart, educated, and highly motivated people; it requires people with specific skills precisely calibrated to address different kinds of innovation and innovation-related activities. And it requires teams of people with different, but complementary, skills and knowledge to complete the full suite of activities and tasks that comprise the full continuum innovation. This report is the first in a series that will provide clarity around the kinds of skills needed for different kinds of innovation. This and future reports will generate insights to help educators, businesses, students, workers and others build better strategies for developing, recruiting, and harnessing talent for innovation success. Canada has a talent advantage. It’s time to sharpen it.