Strategic Policy Branch

The Strategic Policy Branch supports the Minister of Industry, senior Strategic Policy Sector management and the rest of Industry Canada by providing analysis and advice on a range of micro-economic policy issues. It is responsible for strategic policy leadership, analysis and advice, within Industry Canada and interdepartmentally, with respect to the micro-economic policy agenda.

Units and Key Priorities

The Branch has seven units, the key priorities of which are described below.

• The Cabinet Business Unit provides advice and support on Cabinet business, such as Memoranda to Cabinet and briefing packages presented to the Minister of Industry. The Unit also provides input for the federal government's Speech from the Throne and budget.
• The Competition Panel Response team was formed to provide advice on the government's response to the final report of the Competition Policy Review Panel, Compete to Win. The report was tabled in June 2008 and puts forward a series of policy recommendations aimed at modernizing Canada's framework policies for investment and competition in order to make Canada a more attractive destination for talent, investment and innovation.
• The Policy and Regulatory Affairs directorate takes the lead on issues of a horizontal nature, such as skills, immigration, standards, climate change, environment and sustainable development, and corporate social responsibility. The directorate also has the mandated lead for developing and monitoring implementation of the Department's tri-annual Sustainable Development Strategy and Strategic Environmental Assessment.
• The Trade Policy Directorate works to secure or maintain access to export markets for Canadian goods and services and to improve rules that govern international trade. The Directorate participates on Canadian delegations to international forums and in trade negotiations, and prepares briefing material on trade policy issues.
• The Medium-Term Planning directorate provides analysis and advice within the Department on medium-term micro-economic policy.
• The Policy Integration group provides analysis, advice and support to the rest of Industry Canada on departmental policy priorities to ensure that the Department takes a consistent stance on these priorities.
• The Security and Prosperity Partnership Secretariat was formed to support the Minister in his role of leading Canada's engagement in the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP). The SPP is a means through which Canada engages in dialogue, priority-setting, collaboration and action with its North American counterparts to improve the security, prosperity and quality of life of North Americans. See Security and Prosperity Partnership.