Google's Chris O'Neill: Canada loves the internet but businesses need to use to better

Ontarian Chris O'Neill is a Google exec who, after five years working out of the company's California headquarters, has returned home to run Google Canada.

In a recent interview with The Globe and Mail, Chris described Canada's love for the internet: "Canada leads the world," he said. "We are the most wired nation."

But Chris also believes our risk tolerance "tends to be a little lower," which can be good and bad. It's helped our banking system become world-class, he noted, but  "when it comes to technology, Canadian businesses could use a little more of that risk-taking entrepreneurial spirit."

Many companies are still in an "experimental phase" with the web, he says, not yet fully capturing the benefits. And there are missed opportunities in what he calls a gap between consumer and business usage of the internet.

Lack of innovation is Canada's number one problem, Chris affirms, and it has to do with risk. We need better financing for startups, too, as well as more mentors.

Chris also discussed the tech hub of Waterloo. Labelling it a "crown jewel of Canada," he says the "depth and sheer talent … is astounding," and the University of Waterloo and RIM create a "halo effect."