We pay a visit to the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario to meet its founder, Mike Lazaridis. He's also the co-founder of Research in Motion, the company that makes the Blackberry. And he's got some thoughts about fostering innovation in Canada.

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PART THREE

Innovation in Canada - Panel

We started this segment with a clip from John Matlock. He's the Director of External Relations and Communications at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario. It opened its doors in 2001. Today it's one of the top research facilities in the world. And John agreed to take me on a tour.

The Theatre of Ideas seemed like a pretty good place to meet Mike Lazaridis and Neil Turok. Mike Lazaridis is one of Canada's richest and most successful businessmen. He's the co-founder of Research in Motion, the company that makes the Blackberry. The Perimeter Institute is his brainchild. And today, it's a world leader in theoretical physics and innovation. Neil Turok is the institute's Director. I got a chance to sit down with both of them. And I started by asking Mike Lazaridis, how he defines innovation.

Innovation in Canada - Blackboards

One of the things you notice right away when you walk around the Perimeter Institute, is that there are blackboards everywhere. They're in common areas and in everyone's offices. Latham Boyle and Raymond Laflamme use those blackboards every day. They're both researchers at the Perimeter Institute. And I started by asking Latham what was on his blackboard.

Last Word - China Promo

We ended the program this week with a preview of something The Current is working on for next week. China is considering a law that would force children to visit their elderly parents in order to provide emotional support. And here in Canada, some people are re-thinking the obligations adult children have to their parents.

Every province except Alberta has a law that allows parents to sue their children for financial support. Don McLeod is a lawyer in Victoria. He represented a parent who sued her child. And he got the last word today.

Other segments from today's show:

• Women in Boardrooms
• Financial Literacy