A well-educated work force, first-class research networking among universities, colleges and other institutions, and generous R&D tax treatment make Canada one of the best locations in the world to conduct sophisticated, cost-effective S&T partnerships and industrial R&D in just about any sector one can think of.

A first-class technological infrastructure. In 2002, the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Canada first among G-7 countries and third among 49 countries, after Finland and Singapore, in its development and application of technology. Among G-7 countries, the IMD also ranked Canada second only to the United States in its funding for technological development, its information technology skills and its technological co-operation.

A strong and stable economy. In recent years, Canada’s strong fiscal position, modest inflation and low interest rates greatly improved its S&T climate, including more spending on R&D and education. Canada stands in the top five countries for growth potential in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report and in The Economist’s ranking of the World’s Best Business Climates. In 2002, Canada had the highest GDP growth of all the G-7 countries (Figure 3).

A work force with an impressive skill level. Per capita, Canada has more citizens with post-secondary education than any other country, including more than 25,000 engineering and science graduates annually. Its health-science research community has more than 30,000 investigators in 16 medical schools, and more than 100 teaching hospitals and research institutes. In addition to top-ranking engineering schools, several of our business schools are rated in the top 100 management schools in the world, as surveyed by the Financial Times (U.K.).

Reasonable wages and salaries. KPMG´s 2004 business cost study found that Canada´s average labour costs are significantly lower than comparable American costs. For positions paying US$63,000 in the United States, salary levels are 20 per cent lower in Canada.
Source: "KPMG 2004 Cost Study"

Great R&D at huge savings. Canada´s R&D tax treatment is among the most generous in the industrialized world. It includes immediate full write-offs for all expenditures in R&D capital equipment and appreciable tax credits. Firms can significantly reduce R&D costs through direct investment or subcontracting in Canada.
Source: "KPMG 2004 Cost Study"

Rising international S&T collaboration. Out of the more than 24,000 scientific papers published by Canadians in 2000, nearly 40% were produced in partnership with scientists in other countries, up from 25% 10 years ago (Figure 5). The majority of these papers were published with U.S. researchers (Figure 1 on page 4). Also up is Canada’s number of patents with foreign co-inventors: more than 4,000 between 1990 and 2000.

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Canada's S&T Structure

Canadian science and technology is organized around key players, including industry, governments (both federal and provincial) and universities and colleges. Figure 6 shows R&D expenditures by performing sectors in 2004. In that year, federal and provincial governments’ investment accounted for about 44% of the total R&D expenditure in Canada, with more than 360 research establishments now supported by federal and provincial governments.

Industry
Knowledge-intensive companies involved in R&D are essential partners in Canada’s S&T system, accounting for about 66% of R&D performed. Partnerships are at the heart of the Canadian innovation system’s success, not only because they speed the transfer of scientific discoveries from the lab to industry, but because they increase communication between researchers and business leaders.

Federal role
The federal government plays four roles: funder, facilitator, performer and regulator. There are 20 federal organizations performing and/or funding R&D and 120 federal research laboratories. The National Research Council Canada alone, for example, has 20 research institutes and 10 technology centres. Other federal Science-Based Departments and Agencies (SBDAs), such as Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Health Canada also support research centres across Canada. These institutions and laboratories fulfill the government’s role of research performer to support policy, regulation, safety and economic development.

Advisory bodies
The federal government receives S&T advice from several sources of expertise:

Office of the National Science Advisor (NSA)
This position of National Science Advisor was created in 2004 to provide sound, independent, non-partisan advice on Canada’s S&T directions and priorities to the Prime Minister. The Advisor alerts the Prime Minister to and offers advice on issues such as international S&T developments; innovation and commercialization; S&T challenges arising in the developing world; and balancing excellence in S&T with benefits to society and the economy.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet of Ministers also receive advice from two other independent bodies that report directly to them:

The Advisory Committee on Science and Technology provides advice on national S&T issues and performance; and
The Council of Science and Technology Advisors provides advice on S&T issues internal to the federal government.

The Provinces and their municipalities
Canada’s governments actively seek national and international partnerships and investment in science, research and technology. It is the provinces that provide most of the basic physical infrastructure and operating costs for education and for research in Canada’s universities and teaching hospitals. Some provinces also perform and fund research in ways similar to the federal government, often in partnership with it.

Recognizing the economic potential of R&D clusters, many provincial and regional governments have joined forces with the federal government to start venture funds, incubators and research facilities at the local level.

Universities and colleges: basic and commercial research
More than 100 Canadian universities and colleges collaborate with national and international industry partners on R&D of commercial interest. Many of these programs enable students to gain experience in regular, co-operative and professional training programs. For additional information, see the Web site of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
Web site: www.aucc.ca

Innovative support for infrastructure
The Government of Canada has created numerous innovative schemes for delivering research support, including the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Genome Canada and Canada Research Chairs. Each of these programs quickly contributed to the rapid expansion of Canada’s S&T strength. Many have attracted international research stars to Canada, where they subsequently enriched Canada’s own research programs by initiating Canadian-based collaborations with the research communities in their countries of origin.

Several provinces have also created innovative programs to support S&T development. Another growing source of research support is the voluntary sector, where organizations raise money for specific fields of research in, for example, the life-sciences.

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S&T in the Federal Government

Science-Based Departments and Agencies (SBDAs)
Many departments and agencies in Canada’s federal government play key roles in meeting the challenges of the globalized knowledge-based economy. Through partnerships and collaboration with universities, industry and other levels of government in communities all across Canada, Science-Based Departments and Agencies (SBDAs) use their core competencies, strengths in S&T, networking abilities and infrastructure support to help Canadian firms realize their future potential.

Industry Canada (IC)
Industry Canada coordinates Canada’s science and technology policy. As part of this role, the Department monitors the implementation of Canada’s S&T Innovation Strategy and Canada’s Biotechnology Strategy (www.biotech.gc.ca). The Department also conducts some research, primarily in information and communication technologies, through the Communications Research Centre (www.crc.ca). In addition, Industry Canada develops and applies state-of-the-art information technologies to collect and disseminate information on science, technology and innovation opportunities (www.strategis.ic.gc.ca), and promotes a strong science culture in Canada. Web site: www.ic.gc.ca

National Research Council Canada (NRC)
NRC is Canada’s premier federal scientific research organization.With 20 research institutes and 10 technology centres across Canada, NRC pursues a diverse range of scientific investigation—including the fields of biotechnology, microstructural and molecular sciences, aerospace research and measurement standards.Working in these disciplines contributes to meaningful outcomes in areas such as health, the environment and security.

NRC works in partnerships with innovative companies, universities and research organizations worldwide in many joint activities based on formal and informal agreements. During 2003-04, NRC received over 200 foreign delegations, and the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program led 18 missions to three continents. NRC participated in 570 international committees, 768 conferences and signed 119 new formal international collaborations. NRC actively promotes strategic information, intelligence and connections to global centres of advanced S&T and has created significant international networks that help transfer valuable S&T information and market opportunities to Canadian industry and organizations. International collaborations and exchange programs also bring visiting scientists and guest workers from both Canadian and foreign universities, companies and public-sector organizations—1,446 guest workers in 2003-04 alone. NRC also represents Canada in more than 39 international scientific unions, most of which fall under the International Council for Science.
Web site: www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Although NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) focuses is primarily national, its network extends to international connections through Canada’s technology trade missions, linkages with Technology Development Officers and numerous visits and collaborations. These interactions enhance IRAP’s ability to provide scientific, technical and business expertise to small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada. Combined with strong partnership relationships with regional, national and international organizations, they enable IRAP’s more than 260 Industrial Technology Advisors to assist young client companies with sources for financing, access to R&D institutions and technology brokers, and technology-transfer centres. Other services include coaching clients through all stages of the innovation process, and providing technical advice and referrals. An average 12,000 firms annually receive this type of assistance, including financial risk-sharing with some 3,300 clients whose R&D projects are at the pre-commercialization stage.
Web site: http://irap.nrc.gc.ca

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
AAFC promotes the development, adaptation and competitiveness of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Recognizing the need to strengthen the link between science and policy and to integrate science with strategies for policy development, rural issues and domestic and international trade, AAFC’s science is organized into four programs: Environmental Health; Sustainable Production Systems; Bioproducts and Bioprocesses; and Food Safety and Quality. The Department has 19 research centres across Canada, linked electronically and pursuing collaborative research projects under a variety of programs funded by government, industry partnerships and the private sector. Through these programs and through their own departmentbased work, the Department’s scientists contribute to many international initiatives.
Web site: www.agr.gc.ca

Environment Canada (EC)
Science and technology is the foundation of Environment Canada’s work. S&T generates the knowledge and tools the Department needs to track and manage wildlife populations, improve understanding of ecosystems and support their recovery, assess risks to the environment and human health, make weather and climate predictions, support policy and legislative action. and develop and promoted new technologies to enhance eco-efficiency and pollution prevention. EC’s approximately 3,000 scientific and technical personnel work in the field and in S&T centres and institutes across the country. EC the largest producer of published articles in the environmental sciences in Canada.

Partnerships and collaborations are an important factor in the Department’s S&T activities. About half of EC’s research work is conducted in collaboration with external researchers. EC has built significant S&T networks across the country, and is actively exploring new models of partnership and collaboration involving universities, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and government partners, both in Canada and around the world.
Web site: www.ec.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
DFO’s Science Program is the foundation for the policies and activities that support Canada’s economic, ecological and scientific interest in the oceanic and freshwater habitat. DFO is responsible for conservation and sustainable utilization of Canada’s fisheries resources in marine and inland waters and for safe, effective and environmentally sound marine services responsive to the needs of Canadians in a global economy. The Department’s S&T work focuses on research and technologies contributing to the Department Strategic Outcomes of Safe and Accessible Waterways; Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture; and, Healthy and Productive Ecosystems. Internationally, DFO collaborates with foreign governments in a number of major initiatives.
Web site: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Defence R&D Canada (DRDC)
DRDC, an agency of the Department of National Defence (DND), is a robust S&T organization that understands the business of defence and national security. DRDC contributes to the success of Canadian Forces (CF) operations by providing leading-edge, defence-related S&T products and services, as well as monitoring and providing advice on future trends, threats and opportunities. New or improved equipment, tactics, processes and procedures ensure that the CF remains technologically prepared and operationally relevant. DRDC augments its S&T impact by partnering strategically with world-class organizations through several programs. Funding is available for developing new defence and national security initiatives as well as fostering technologies that could have relevant applications. DRDC also monitors emerging technologies in defence and national security among a vast domestic and international network of stakeholders, and the Agency co-sponsors symposia and workshops to raise awareness of emerging issues in defence and national security S&T. DRDC has close alliances with NATO members, particularly the United States, and many of DRDC’s efforts involve international collaboration. DRDC’s corporate office is in Ottawa, with six research centres across the country.
Web site: www.drdc-rddc.gc.ca

Health Canada (HC)
Health Canada provides national leadership in developing Canada’s health policy, enforcing health regulations, promoting disease prevention, enhancing healthy living in Canada, and responding to the changing nature of health issues in Canada and around the world. The Department uses in-house research as well as research carried out in a network of national and international science organizations to develop the sound science advice needed to support its policies and programs, and the development and enforcement of regulations.

S&T activities concentrate mainly on health protection and promotion, and the department works with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to anticipate, prevent and respond to new threats from emerging and re-emerging diseases. In addition, research in social sciences informs the department's understanding of health determinants in its work on renewal of Canada’s health care system. Health Canada works closely with partners in the health portfolio including PHAC, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and it collaborates with provinces and territories on initiatives such as the development of a Canadian health technology strategy.
Web site: www.hc.sc.gc.ca

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
NRCan’s S&T programs reflect the Department’s integration of economic, social and environmental objectives into its decision-making process for developing and using Canada’s resources in energy, forests, minerals and metals. The Department’s S&T programs specialize in leading-edge science and technology expertise in energy, minerals and metals, forests and earth sciences (geoscience and geomatics). Through partnerships and research networks with governments, industry and academia in Canada and internationally, NRCan focuses on knowledge and technology solutions to advance innovation, resource stewardship and environmental performance, including increased energy efficiency. NRCan works with international agencies and other nations to participate in international S&T initiatives, promote Canada’s international interests, and encourage access to global markets for Canadian products, services and technology.
Web site: www.nrcan.gc.ca

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
Established in 1989, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is responsible for managing Canada's activities in space, and as such, is committed to leading the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.

The Canadian space program dates back to 1962 with the launch of Alouette-1, a satellite for studying the ionosphere. Its launch made Canada the third nation in space, after Russia and the United States. Space enthusiasts around the world are familiar with Canada’s astronaut corps, the enduring RADARSAT-1 satellite, Canadarm, and other successes.

The Canadian space community, working in close cooperation with domestic and international partners, is a leader in critical technology areas, including synthetic aperture radar, Earth-observation data management and compilation, space robotics, and satellite communications. Canada also has world-class expertise in atmospheric studies, astronomy, life and microgravity sciences, as well as space medicine.

With an annual budget of $300 million, about 75 percent of which is invested in industry, universities, and research institutes, the Canadian Space Program is a key driver of our nation’s continued leadership on the world S&T stage. Canada has a strategic commitment to space development in Earth observation, satellite communications, and space science and exploration, while promoting awareness of the benefits of space technologies to Canadians.

International partnerships remain a cornerstone of our space program. In fact, 2004 marked the 25th anniversary of Canada–European Space Agency (ESA) cooperation and Canada remains the only non-European cooperating state of ESA. Canada works closely with foreign partners, including the United States, France, Germany, Japan, India, and many others, and continues to expand partnerships with emerging space-faring countries.

The space industry in Canada includes more than 250 firms, many of them SMEs, and employs about 6,000 people. Nearly 40 percent of the industry’s 2003 $2 billion revenue is from exports—the highest ratio of any space sector in the world.
Web site: www.space.gc.ca

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
CFIA, a science-based federal regulator, reports to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The Agency was formed in 1997 to consolidate federal food safety, animal health and plant health inspection programs. The CFIA bases its program design and delivery on science, and plays an important role in providing expert scientific advice both at home and abroad. The Agency utilizes laboratory science, risk assessment, surveillance, technology development and research to deliver programs. It also analyses research data and information to provide scientific advice, identify emerging issues and coordinate knowledge-building in horizontal areas such as biotechnology.

To promote research, the CFIA has several programs, including an internal technology development process that drives new method development and other priorities to support regulatory programs. The Research Partnerships Program consists of a competitive, peer-reviewed $2.4 million fund to address research needs through partnerships with industry, academia, provincial governments and other institutions.

In addition, the CFIA has agreements with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Chemical, Biological and Radionuclear Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI).

With its network of ISO 17025-accredited labs across the country, the CFIA can respond to issues quickly and efficiently. Several of the CFIA’s laboratories are designated by the OIE, the World Organization for Animal Health, as world reference laboratories for serious animal diseases such as anthrax, rabies and brucellosis.
Web site: www.inspection.gc.ca

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
IDRC is a world leader in the generation and application of new knowledge to meet the challenges of international development.

For 35 years, IDRC has promoted interdisciplinary, collaborative research that builds the capacity of developing countries to identify and solve their own problems. Partnerships are key to IDRC’s mission and programs. IDRC is working to create and reinforce partnerships between Canadian institutions and those in the developing world, focusing on building the capacity of developing-country researchers. Recognizing that Canadians have much to offer in this area, about 20 percent of its funding is allocated to collaborative research that engages Canadians in IDRC’s three broad areas of enquiry: environment and natural resource management; information and communication technologies for development; and social and economic policy.

Innovation is a hallmark of IDRC-supported projects, whether it’s adapting new information and communication technologies to the needs of small fishermen, farmers and small traders in Africa, or identifying ways to integrate fair trade principles into the mainstream commodity trade.

IDRC supported more than 825 research activities in 2003- 2004. Its budget for 2004-2005 is $137 million. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, IDRC has six regional offices located in Kenya, Senegal, Singapore, India, Uruguay and Egypt.
Web site: www.idrc.ca

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) plans and implements most of Canada’s development cooperation program to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous globe. Supporting the science and technology needed to meet the needs of the developing world has been a part of that important work.

CIDA funds the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which explores ways to improve food production in countries where many are undernourished. The Crops Research Institute in Ghana, one of CGIAR's members, has produced a high-yielding, high-protein variety of corn know as CIDA-ba, or son of CIDA, in recognition of the Agency's support of maize research.

Supporting development—and research for better development—is not only CIDA’s work, it is an important part of Canada’s international aims. In 2004, Prime Minister Martin announced a challenge to Canadians [ed. suggest instead: the ferderal government (Gov’t of Canada) challenged Canada…] to devote five percent of our national research and development effort to the needs of the developing world. Some of those needs, presented by world leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000, are the target of the Millennium Development Goals, and have been endorsed by Canada. The goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, making primary education available to all, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, and establishing a global partnership for development.

CIDA, working with other departments, the International Development Research Centre, the academic community, the private sector, as well as civil society organizations in Canada and around the world, is responding to those challenges.
Web site: www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/index-e.htm

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The Granting Councils

Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC)
NSERC’s role is to make investments in people, discovery and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians. The Council invests in people by supporting more than 20,000 university students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. It promotes discovery by funding more than 10,000 university professors every year. And it helps make innovation happen by encouraging more than 500 Canadian companies to invest in university research. In 2004-2005, NSERC will invest $850 million in university-based research and training in the natural sciences and engineering.
Web site: www.nserc.gc.ca

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) funds university-based research and training in more than thirty disciplines within the social sciences, humanities, education and management. In addition to investigator-driven studies, SSHRC supports targeted research on key societal issues and the broad dissemination of knowledge to users of research. In 2004-05, SSHRC’s $230 million budget for grants, fellowships and scholarships supported some 7,000 researchers and graduate students at over 90 universities across Canada. The Council’s new strategic plan emphasizes strengthening international collaboration in research and improving the opportunities for Canadian researchers to partner with their counterparts around the world. Social sciences and humanities research fuels innovative thinking about society: work, schools, health care, business, ethics, peace, terrorism, immigration, diversity, religion, literature, human rights, democracy, poverty, mass media, law, politics, the environment.
Web site: www.sshrc.gc.ca

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) creates new knowledge and translates that knowledge into improved health, a strengthened health-care system and new health products and services. Through its virtual institutes, CIHR brings researchers from many disciplines— the social sciences, informatics, engineering and biomedical sciences—together with policymakers, caregivers and the public, both nationally and internationally. These partnerships bring new perspectives to health and ensure that research findings are applied where they are needed.

In 2003-2004, CIHR provided funding to over 4,850 grants, 800 salary awards and 1,685 training awards for a total of more than $550 million. CIHR invested $25 million in the Networks of Centres of Excellence program to support 11 health-related research networks and provided $46 million toward Canada Research Chairs.
Web site: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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Strategic Programs

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
DFAIT focuses its departmental resources in S&T through its network of S&T officers abroad and its Science and Technology Division (TBR). The Department strengthens Canada’s S&T capacity and promotes international business by gathering international S&T insights; facilitating Canadian researchers’ access to international R&D opportunities; and contributing to the development of Canada’s domestic and foreign S&T policy.

The S&T program manages a network of six S&T Counsellors and a number of Trade Commissioner Service Officers posted abroad who collect and disseminate information on S&T policies and collaborative R&D opportunities. The program also administers Canada’s four bilateral S&T agreements; fosters and offers financial support for international collaboration through its Going Global S&T Fund (see box on page 5); organizes missions to selected overseas markets to help Canadian researchers and technology firms explore potential international collaborations; and promotes Canada as an innovative S&T-based country.
Web site: www.infoexport.gc.ca/science

Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
The CFI was created by the Government of Canada in 1997 to fund research infrastructure. The CFI’s mandate, which runs to 2010, is to strengthen the ability of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians. The Foundation has a budget of $3.65 billion and funds up to 40 percent of a project’s infrastructure costs. These funds are invested in partnership with eligible institutions and their funding partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors who provide the remainder. Based on this formula, the total capital investment by the CFI, the research institutions and their partners will exceed $10 billion by 2010.

Research enabled by CFI investments is also creating the necessary conditions for sustainable, long-term economic growth including the creation of spin-off ventures and the commercialization of discoveries. CFI support is awarded following a thorough merit-based assessment process that involves researchers, research administrators and research users from Canada and abroad who review proposals and make funding recommendations. Just eight years into its mandate, the CFI has provided infrastructure support to almost 4,000 projects across all research disciplines.
Web site: www.innovation.ca

Canada Research Chairs
This Government of Canada initiative will fund the creation of 2,000 Canada Research Chairs by 2007 in Canadian universities and their affiliated research institutes and hospitals with an investment of $900 million. The program’s goal is to achieve the highest levels of research excellence. It has been designed to attract the world’s most promising researchers in all fields of scientific research to Canadian universities.

In their positions as Chairholders, they are expected to provide the vision for, and lead, specific programs that will extend the boundaries of Canadian research, thereby ensuring Canada’s continued ability to participate at the forefront of international research. The program is designed to ensure the effective use of research resources through institutional strategic planning. As of November 2004, the program had awarded 1,348 Chairs, of whom 29% (395) came from other countries, including 188 researchers who returned to Canada from abroad.
Web site: www.chairs.gc.ca

Genome Canada
Genome Canada is the primary funding and information resource for genomics and proteomics in Canada. Together with its five Genome Centres (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and British Columbia) and with other partners, Genome Canada invests and manages largescale research projects in key areas such as agriculture, environment, fisheries, forestry, health and new technology development. Genome Canada also supports research projects aimed at studying and analyzing the ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social issues related to genomics research (GE3LS ).

Genome Canada has international agreements with leading European countries including Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark and, in 2003, it launched an International Consortium Initiative,which funds international research led by Canadians. One of the initiative’s successes is the $95 million Structural Genomics Consortium, based at the University of Toronto and at Oxford University. Genome Canada also maintains its international networks through its in-depth project evaluation process, which involves more than 150 international experts in each competition. Other Genome Canada international projects include the Haplotype Map project and the Bovine Sequencing project with partners in the United States and Australia.
Web site: www.genomecanada.ca

Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE)
The federal NCE program was launched in 1989 and has a current budget of $77.4 million per year. Networks of Centres of Excellence are unique partnerships among universities, industry, government and non-governmental organizations aimed at turning Canadian research and entrepreneurial talent into economic and social benefits for all Canadians. An integral part of the Government of Canada’s Innovation Strategy, these nation-wide, multidisciplinary research partnerships connect top Canadian researchers and potential industrial users. They also provide unique access to focused areas of Canadian research. There are currently 21 networks working in the areas of health, human development and biotechnology; information and communications technology; natural resources; and engineering and manufacturing.

The active involvement of Canadian industry provides stimulating training environments and employment opportunities for students. In 2003-04, the networks stimulated outside investments of more than $58 million, including more than $23 million by participating privatesector companies. Over the past 15 years, the networks have launched 111 spin-off companies and its researchers have filed nearly 1,000 patents.
Web site: www.nce.gc.ca

Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC)
TPC, an agency of Industry Canada, invests in research and development conducted in Canada by Canadian companies in areas of strategic social and economic importance. TPC’s investments promote innovation, sustainable development and encourage private sector investment, fostering the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises in all regions of Canada. This goal is often pursued in partnership with the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). TPC investments focus on emerging technologies in such sectors as information and communications, eco-efficiency, alternative energies, biotechnology and leading-edge technologies in aerospace and defence.

TPC’s h2 Early Adopters program promotes the development and early adoption of hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies into the marketplace. Offered in partnership with industry, the program supports projects that demonstrate the potential benefits of hydrogen and the infrastructure components required to produce, store and distribute hydrogen as a fuel source. As of September 30, 2004, TPC’s multi-year investments totalled $2.7 billion supporting 664 projects, 589 of which targeted small- to medium-size companies across Canada.
Web site: www.tpc.ic.gc.ca

Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS)
The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, established in 2000, funds university-based research on climate, atmospheric and related oceanic sciences in Canada. Its total budget is $110 million. Through a competitive (peer-reviewed) process, the Foundation supports reseach on the climate system, climate change, extreme weather, air quality and marine environmental prediction. Its focus is on providing new knowledge to policymakers, weather forecasters, businesses, governments and the scientific community.

CFCAS also facilitates progress on international environmental commitments such as the Kyoto Protocol, which Canada ratified in 2002 and which came into effect on February 16, 2005. As of January 2005, the Foundation had invested over $65 million in university-based projects and major collaborative networks. Several of the networks are linked to major international research programs and involve partners from different sectors. The Foundation has also hosted workshops and symposia on a number of topics, including extreme weather and Arctic climate. It provides partial support to two international project offices (Stratospheric Processes and their Role in Climate; and a Working Group of the Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study), and helps support the National Secretariat for International Polar Year (2007).
Web site: www.cfcas.org

Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD)
Operated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), PERD is Canada’s only federal interdepartmental R&D program focused on the non-nuclear energy sector and its economic and environmental impacts.Working with 12 Science-Based Departments and Agencies (SBDAs), PERD supports the development of environmentally and economically sustainable energy production and end-use technologies, particularly those that address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. NRCan recently realigned energy S&T in the priority areas of hydrogen, biomass-based energy systems and technologies, and energy-efficient industrial systems and technologies. At the international level, by virtue of PERD, NRCan has fostered strong linkages with the U.S. Department of Energy and the collaborative R&D program of the International Energy Agency. In addition, PERD has ties with the European Union and the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC).
Web site: www2.nrcan.gc.ca/es/oerd

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
SDTC is a $550 million foundation that is funded by the Government of Canada and operates as an arm’slength, not-for-profit corporation. SDTC’s aim is to foster the development and demonstration of technology related to climate change, clean air, water and soil. The Foundation works with and on behalf of entrepreneurs to ensure that Canada captures those opportunities. SDTC uses a unique funding model that leverages technology investments on a number of fronts. These investments represent the entire spectrum of players in the innovation chain—from academics to entrepreneurs, technology distributors and end-users. Initially, the Foundation will allocate funds to eligible recipients over a five-year period. This initiative is dependent upon the formation of creative and economically sound partnerships from the private sector, academia, not-for-profit organizations and federal or provincial governments. These partners will provide further leveraged funding, as on average, SDTC will fund up to 33% of an eligible project.
Web site: www.sdtc.ca

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R&D Sectors

The benefits of Canada’s partnering and networking approach to S&T are evident in many industry sectors where leading-edge Canadian companies can be found. During the mid-to-late 1990s, Canadian companies made their mark in telecommunications. By 2005, companies in the life sciences were achieving great strides—particularly in pharmaceuticals, agricultural biotechnology and health research. Other sectors in which Canadians companies excel include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and resource and environmental technologies—particularly for climate change. Figure 8 shows the concentration of industrial R&D planned expenditures among industries in 2004.

Many of the companies in these sectors collect around geographical clusters with high levels of R&D and high-tech business activity. Anchored by major universities and labs, these clusters offer access to core research capabilities, services and equipment. They also boast low R&D and labour costs; highly skilled pools of scientific and technical labour; modern, extensive and integrated transport and communications networks; and proximity to the U.S. market.

Most important, Canada’s R&D clusters generate competitionspurring innovation and best industry practices that lead to continuous improvement. Regional clusters also attract increasing venture capital and R&D partnerships with major North American and global S&T players.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) The Canadian Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector is a $130 billion industry employing more than half a million workers. In 2004, the ICT sector invested more in R&D than any other industry in Canada, with expenditures totaling $5 billion—or 40% of all Canadian private sector R&D.

ICT clusters across Canada represent many different ICT niche-technologies. The Ottawa cluster is anchored by Nortel Networks, the largest R&D performer in Canada. The Communications Research Centre (CRC) and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) and its newly opened Photonics Fabrication Centre are Canada’s premier R&D organizations supporting ICT development. Ottawa also benefits from two universities: Carleton, and the University of Ottawa, both of which provide strong engineering programs.

Toronto has impressive strengths in multimedia, software and microelectronics, with corporate players such as Alias, Financial Models, ATI, Leitch Technology, Gennum, Celestica and Hummingbird. These companies interact with the University of Toronto’s electrical and computer engineering programs, which are among the top 10 in North America. IBM’s software laboratory is the company’s biggest international research site and serves many prestigious corporate global mandates. Other multinationals that have located significant operations in the Toronto region include Motorola, Xerox, HP and Oracle.

The University of Waterloo graduates among the largest numbers of information technology professionals in North America. Drawing on this talent pool, the Toronto/Kitchener- Waterloo area has developed into a major ICT centre.

Montréal is carving a niche market in gaming and animation as well as wireless communication. In fact, it employs nearly a quarter of all ICT workers located in the province of Quebec. Well over half of the world’s special-effects and animation software originates in Canada: Most films nominated for Academy Award special effects in recent years used software created in Montréal. Montréal and Quebec City also have a concentration in photonics. In addition, large multinationals such as Ericsson, Harris, IBM, Flextronics, EMS and Motorola have either R&D projects or facilities in the region.

Other provinces are equally dynamic in this sector. In British Columbia, R&D is led by Nokia’s mobile-phone product design centre and recently expanded N-Gage studio for creating video games for its N-Gage mobile phone and game deck.Within academia, Simon Fraser University conducts ongoing research in its Mobile Communications Laboratory and is currently building the Nanotech Research Centre 4D Labs that will design, develop and demonstrate prototype devices.

In Alberta, Calgary is home to a fast-growing wireless communications industry with firms like WiLan and CSI Wireless. The new NRC National Institute for Nanotechnology in Edmonton is already spurring the growth of a technology cluster that includes Micralyne and BigBangwidth. In both cities, ICT companies service the dynamic provincial energy and processing sectors, as well as national and international clients. In Saskatchewan, the Canadian Light Source Nano Structures Facility will enable the development and pilot production of next-generation MEMs/Nano semiconductors. In Manitoba,Winnipeg boasts research expertise in ICT and life sciences converging technologies, as well as a fast-growing digital media sub-sector.

In Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia excels in applications development and computer services. New Brunswick is strong in e-business research and e-learning, while Prince Edward Island is recognized for its multimedia and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Newfoundland and Labrador have noted expertise in IT services and marine applications.

Life Sciences The life science industry sector in Canada directly employs 68,000 people, invests about $2.9B annually in research and development (R&D) and has annual revenues of over $21.8B. Canadian life sciences activities support a public health sector that includes more than 100 hospitals and research institutes nation-wide.

With 496 biotechnology companies, Canada ranks second only to the U.S. in terms of the size of its biotechnology industry. Canada has a strong foundation of success to build upon in order to remain competitive at the global level. By 2003, annual investment in biotechnology R&D was approaching $1.5 billion. Canada’s volume of discovery and innovation has never been greater.With $3.8 billion in revenues in 2003, Canada ranks third behind the U.S. and the U.K. in generating biotech revenues. Furthermore, the Canadian government has taken steps to increase the capacity of Canadian companies to conduct world-class R&D through programs such as Genome Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Networks of Centres of Excellence. Canadian universities, research hospitals and institutes are also actively involved in strategic alliances with industry and in the development of spin-off companies.

Three Canadian cities—Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver— have become world-class biotech clusters, ranking in the top 20 North American cities for biotechnology revenue. Canada’s biotech companies are concentrated primarily in the areas of human health (52%) and agriculture and food processing (30%), and secondarily in the areas of environment, bioinformatics, aquaculture and natural resources.

Canadian life sciences industries also include the medical devices sector, which has annual exports of $2.0 billion. Research and development is conducted in all subsectors of the medical device industry, with the medical imaging and radiotherapy sector being the most R&D intensive. The medical device industry is also able to draw on world-class research being conducted in universities, research institutes and hospitals across Canada.

Montréal is home to more than 150 health-related biotech firms and ranks first in North America for biopharma contract research. Nearly every large international pharmaceutical company has a base in Montréal, attracted in part by the NRC Biotechnology Research Institute and the city’s four local universities (McGill, Université de Montréal, Concordia and Université du Québec á Montréal).

Montréal also has strengths in medical imaging, particularly neuro-imaging at McGill University’s Montréal Neurological Institute. At Boucherville, biomedical R&D in advanced materials and biomaterials is conducted at the NRC Industrial Materials Institute, home to a new laboratory focused on angioplasty devices.

In Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area has approximately 110 biotech companies, research hospitals and institutes. The University of Toronto and its affiliated research institutions help make Toronto the fourth-largest medical R&D community in North America. Toronto has also developed major strengths in bioinformatics and genomics, while in nearby Guelph, significant agriculture research is being conducted at the University of Guelph and its surrounding cluster of biotechnology companies. London, Ontario has significant research strengths in medical imaging at the John P. Robarts Research Institute. Two other major London facilities are the London Health Sciences Centre, which is a national centre for minimally invasive robotic surgery; and the NRC Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute, which conducts advanced research in medical-device manufacturing.

On the Pacific coast, Vancouver has the third-largest concentration of biotech companies, with more than 80 companies and 70% of its life-sciences cluster focused on health research. Other Canadian cities are also becoming leaders in life sciences. Winnipeg has developed a vibrant biomedical devices sector focused on the NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics, and Saskatoon has developed the largest agricultural biotechnology cluster in Canada. It is home to two federal laboratories (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Research Centre, and the NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute), plus the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). Saskatoon is also the location of Canadian Light Source Inc., Canada’s national facility for synchrotron light research, including its leadingedge medical applications.

A 2004 global competitiveness study by KPMG found that Canada was the most cost competitive country to conduct R&D in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, as well as clinical trials. Canada’s ranking was followed by Australia’s and Italy’s, with the U.S. placing seventh.

Resource and Environmental Technologies Increased global demand for environmental protection, for more fuel-efficient vehicles, and for energy and emissions’ reduction have focused the attention of Canadian researchers in government, university and industry labs on technologies to address these issues—particularly with respect to mitigating the effects of climate change.

For example, researchers at the CANMET Energy Technology Centre, Canada’s largest federal laboratory for energy technologies, are developing clean, energy-efficient, conventional alternative and renewable energy technologies to combat climate change. At other government labs, scientists are assessing the environmental and sustainable performance of technology in areas such as bio-ethanol production, enzyme bleaching in pulp and paper processes, and gas turbine development.

Nowhere is the challenge more apparent than in the automotive sector, where for every 10% in weight reduction, fuel efficiency improves by up to eight percent. This goal has fostered major R&D investment in new materials that are cheaper, lighter and stronger. Primary-metal industries and automakers are working with CANMET’s Materials Technology Laboratory in Ottawa, and the NRC’s new Aluminium Technology Research Centre in Saguenay, Quebec.

Lighter weight is also critical to novel energy supply systems such as fuel cell vehicles, which offer the promise of significantly reducing the production of greenhouse gases and other toxic pollutants from the internal combustion engine. The governments of Canada, British Columbia and Quebec have played a critical role in fuel cell development in the past 20 years, collectively spending more than $150 million. Canada now boasts the largest and fastest-growing cluster of fuel cell expertise in the world.

NRCan’s Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Transportation Energy program (HyFATE) supports efforts by Canadian industry to develop and deploy technologies and fuels that provide a cleaner, more sustainable energy mix for our roadways. HyFATE has been a long-time technical and financial supporter of activities that support hydrogen production and storage systems, fuel cells, alternative fuels and advanced propulsion systems; emissions control technologies; energy efficient systems; and fuelling infrastructure technologies. HyFATE has supported companies such as Ballard Power Systems and Hydrogenics, who are now recognized as leading developers of fuel cell technologies.

Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMTs) AMTs are spreading within all regions and industries of Canada, including the automotive, aerospace, mining and resource industries, as well as biotech and life sciences. Among these sectors, our automotive, aerospace and natural resource sectors are the three largest users of AMTs.

Canada has a great track record for creating new technologies that have helped Canadian producers become major suppliers of AMTs worldwide. These technologies include integrated design and manufacturing software, robotics and intelligent processing equipment, net shape processing, multi-use equipment, continuous materials processing, surface treatment and micro-fabrication.

For example, researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and at Université Laval in Quebec City conduct leading-edge research in machining and metal-forming AMTs, while researchers at the University of Windsor in Ontario are partners with major automakers in developing casting technologies. DaimlerChrysler and the University of Windsor have partnered in a $500 million automotive research centre, focusing research on alternative fuels, automotive materials, vehicle durability, mechanical engineering design, vehicle safety, and fuel economy and emissions.

In aerospace, the Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC) on the Université de Montréal campus, will mobilize the facilities and programs of NRC’s Institute for Aerospace Research and other related institutes across Canada. The AMTC will assist the aerospace industry to develop, demonstrate and implement advanced manufacturing methods.

Three National Research Council institutes also focus on AMTs: the NRC Industrial Materials Institute in Montréal, the NRC Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute in London, Ontario, and the NRC Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technologies in Ottawa.

In the resource sector, Canadian companies are world leaders in spawning and manufacturing high-technology products and services in such fields as geomatics, robotics, optical controls and environmental engineering. A good example is Sudbury, in Northern Ontario, where one of Canada’s biggest mines annually produces $2 billion worth of ore. Major investment in robotics in Sudbury over the last two decades has enabled the industry to maintain production with only one-third the labour force needed 20 years ago. Innovation has increased productivity threefold, with major improvements in the safety of workers.

Aerospace Technologies The Canadian aerospace sector—the world’s fourthlargest— is a $21 billion industry made up of over 400 firms and 75,000 workers. Eleven universities in Canada offer advanced degrees in aerospace. Foreign direct investment from the United States and the European Union has grown steadily, with aerospace spending on R&D of about $800 million in 2003.

Canada plays a big role in the world aerospace industry. Canadian firms are global market leaders in regional aircraft, business jets, commercial helicopters, small gas turbine engines, flight simulation, and landing gear. Canadian companies offer superior products, customer service, and customized solutions, backed by sustained investment in R&D and a highly skilled workforce. Canada is also a globally competitive source of supply for:

Airframe structural assemblies
Wing structure assemblies
Power conversion and distribution systems
Integrated electronic controls
Environmental conditioning control systems
Air traffic control and air space management systems
Communications and avionics systems
Maintenance, repair and overhaul services

Another supportive element is the Consortium de Recherche et d'innovation en aérospatiale du Québec (CRIAQ), a formal network that brings together six leading aerospace firms in the Montréal region with six universities in Quebec. The new NRC Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre adds to the sector’s local resources.

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA), near Montréal, works with industry on global satellite navigation, remote sensing and space robotics. The CSA also contributes to knowledge about space microgravity and life science, and participates in international space astronomy and planetary exploration missions.

In addition, Canada’s space sector is a $4 billion industry that employs over 6,000 people, working in approximately 200 companies and research entities. There have been many Canadian successes in this industry: One of the most notable was the Canadarm, which was launched in 1981 and still remains a source of pride for all Canadians. It represents a symbol of achievement and strength for a space industry that has solidified its expertise not only in space robotics, but in telecommunications, earth observation and space science. Through the talents of a highly skilled workforce, Canadian space firms now provide effective space-based solutions to the increasing global demand for environmental protection, climate change monitoring, border security and surveillance, and advanced telecommunications, to name just a few. Looking ahead, our industrially driven space technologies also allow our astronauts to pursue scientific research in the unique microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station, all the while providing our scientists the technological means to better understanding our universe and the very origins of life here on earth.

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Technology Transfer in Canada

Federal Partners in Technology Transfer
The purpose of the FPTT website is to provide easy access to:

information on technology transfer in Canada;
technologies, services, programs, expertise, and facilities available within the federal government's science-based departments and agencies;
federal and provincial assistance programs; and
links to other organizations involved in technology transfer

Innovation Management Association of Canada
IMAC is an association of research, technology management, and innovation leaders in Canada. IMAC grew out of the merger of the former Canadian Research Management Association (CRMA) and the former Canadian Association for the Management of Technology (CANMOT). IMAC members are responsible for planning, managing and administering scientific and technological research and innovation. They are from industry, universities, research institutes, and various government departments and agencies

Westlink
WestLink is an innovative, not-for-profit network formed to facilitate communication, collaboration and technology development and commercialization in Western Canada. WestLink's 23 members include western Canadian Universities, colleges, and affiliated research institutes.

Trans-Forum
Trans-Forum is an Internet-based communication and information service which links the industry liaison offices of a growing number of universities, affiliated research institutes, colleges, technical institutes and centres of excellence across Canada. Its purpose is to enhance technology and expertise transfer from higher education institutions to Canadian business, especially small and medium-size enterprises. It makes key services and information accessible to industry liaison officials to assist them in their marketing efforts.

The Canadian Window on Academic Technology Transfer
The Canadian Window on Academic Technology Transfer aims to provide the most comprehensive source of information on, and links to, university, college or hospital based entities involved in the transfer of technology in Canada.

Commercialization Toolbox
The Technology Commercialization Toolbox is a resource guide and primer for individual inventors and companies who wish to turn their ideas into marketable products.

National Expertise Index (NEI)
The NEI provides users with a single window access to individual researchers at universities, colleges and federal and provincial government laboratories. With links to over 14,000 researchers and research team homepages, NEI is already one of the most extensive source of research expertise in Canada.

National Technology Index (NTI)
The National Technology Index is a virtual registry of Canadian universities and government technologies.

Canadian Technology Network (CTN)
The Canadian Technology Network targets small or medium-sized technology related businesses in Canada, and provides access to a wide range of technology and related business assistance through a cross-country network of advisors.

Innovation Canada
The Innovation in Canada Web site is a strong tool for broad overview of sites related to technology transfer, and contains links to many of the Web site listed above.

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Working and Studying in Canada

Studying in Canada and Canada and the World: Science & Technology are webpages on the Canada International site. They provide study and scholarship information, in addition to details on Canada’s policies and role in the international scientific community.

An International Students Section is provided by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada to answer frequently asked questions. The AUCC also manages some international projects, mostly development related.

Science and Technology Program,
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
This site contains a navigational guide to various scholarships and fellowships available to support international research training, compiled by the Science and Technology Program, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Brief explanations are provided for each, with links provided for further information.

Canada's Granting Councils
»» Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
»» Canadian Institutes for Health Research
»» The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
These addresses are for each of Canada's three research granting councils that provide information on financial grants available.

National Research Council Career Opportunities site lists job opportunities. Also available is a listing of Jobs by location or city. The NRC is Canada's premier federal research organization with 20 research institutes and 4,000 employees across the country. Every year, it brings an average of 700 visiting scientists to work in its labs through its international collaboration and exchange programs.

Working Temporarily in Canada
Canada welcomes talented individuals from around the world with experience in fields such as engineering, management, technical and skilled trades. This site provides information for individuals interested in coming to Canada to work on a temporary basis, or wishing to obtain a work permit. The site provides plenty of useful resources, including information on the fees associated with applications and other services.

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Brochures on Partnering with Canada

Partner with Canadian Researchers in the European Union's Sixth Framework Program

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Last Updated:
2005-05-26

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