Stategic Policy Sector

The Strategic Policy Sector (SPS) provides policy leadership for Industry Canada. The Sector works to achieve an integrated approach to policy formulation by developing and advising on policies aimed at the growth of economic prosperity in Canada. The Sector is engaged in research, analysis and advocacy, focussing primarily on policies related to

• marketplace frameworks;
• knowledge and innovation; and
• the business environment for wealth creation.

The Sector supports policy research and discussion; develops, advises and makes recommendations on domestic and international economic policy; coordinates briefings for Cabinet; and supports Canada's engagement in the Security and Prosperity Partnership.

Mandate

The Sector's goal is to build Industry Canada into a centre of excellence for micro-economic policy to effectively address the wide range of current and emerging business and market-related issues that have an impact on Canadians, both now and in the future.

SPS leads the Department in micro-economic policy by:

• achieving excellence in applied micro-economic research and analysis;
• providing policy advice based on a strong analytical foundation; and
• engaging with think tanks, leaders and academics to bring new perspectives into policy discussions.

SPS manages integrated policy formulation and implementation by:

• developing and planning the ministerial policy agenda and supporting its implementation;
• providing leadership on the sustainable wealth creation agenda across government; and
• identifying Canada's interests in international forums and supporting Canadian participation.

SPS achieves its mandate by:

• managing the Department's planning process on policy priorities, the Speech from the Throne and the federal budget;
• maintaining effective communications between the Department and central government agencies;
• developing policies, legislation and regulations on foreign investment, patents and trade-marks, copyright, corporate governance, bankruptcy and insolvency;
• developing policies, legislation and rules for the telecommunications and wireless services industries;
• leading and advising on federal negotiations with the provinces and territories on the Agreement on Internal Trade;
• advising on trade policies;
• leading Industry Canada involvement on horizontal issues such as aboriginal economic development, skills, standards, the environment and sustainable development, and corporate social responsibility;
• maintaining contact with the micro-economic policy research community;
• conducting micro-economic policy research and analyses; and
• communicating research results throughout government and through the university and stakeholder communities.

SPS attracts and retains highly qualified employees by:

• creating a workplace of choice based on excellence, respect, integrity, diversity and open communication;
• recruiting candidates from several marketplaces; and
• maintaining a program of continuous learning and development.
• championing the use of both official languages in the workplace, while providing opportunities for all sector employees to improve their second language through training, mentoring, and events.

See the Message from the Assistant Deputy Minister and Associate Assistant Deputy Minister and Careers in the Strategic Policy Sector.

See the Organization