Industry Canada
ic.gc.ca
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Industry Canada Business Plan 2009–2010
Operating context
Government priorities and link to Industry Canada's mandate
By virtue of its mandate — to develop and administer marketplace framework policies, protect consumers, and help Canadian industry become more innovative, productive and competitive in the global economy, thus improving the economic and social well-being of Canadians — Industry Canada will play an important role in implementing and advising on the Government of Canada's economic policy agenda in the coming year, particularly in light of the ongoing economic slowdown in Canada and around the world.
In addition, the clear direction provided for Industry Canada in 2006 in Advantage Canada remains valid. Advantage Canada is the Government of Canada's long-term plan to build a stronger Canadian economy and improve Canadians' quality of life through five advantages: tax reduction, debt reduction, entrepreneurship, knowledge in the workforce and infrastructure.
The many and varied activities that Industry Canada carries out to deliver on its mandate are organized around three interdependent and mutually reinforcing key strategies, as shown in the figure below.
Industry Canada invests in science and technology to generate knowledge and equip Canadians with the skills and training they need to compete in the global, knowledge-based economy. These investments help ensure that discoveries and breakthroughs happen here in Canada, and that Canadians can realize the social and economic benefits.
Industry Canada encourages business innovation and productivity because businesses are the organizations that generate jobs and wealth. Promoting economic development in communities encourages the development of skills, knowledge and opportunities across the country.
Industry Canada fosters competitiveness by developing and administering economic framework policies that promote competition and innovation, support investment and entrepreneurial activity, and instill consumer, investor and business confidence.
Under each of these strategies, as the chart below shows, are four program activities that comprise the numerous business objectives that Industry Canada will deliver in 2009–2010. By carrying out these activities, Industry Canada works to meet its own strategic outcomes and support the Government of Canada’s desired outcomes. The latter are organized under four spending areas: economic affairs, social affairs, international affairs and government affairs. Industry Canada's key strategies and strategic outcomes fall under the spending areas of economic affairs and international affairs.
Within the former, Industry Canada contributes to three Government of Canada outcomes: a fair and secure marketplace, an innovative and knowledge-based economy, and strong economic growth. Within international affairs, Industry Canada contributes to the outcome of a strong and mutually beneficial North American partnership. The Department's strategic enablers — corporate functions such as human resources management and communications — fall under the spending area of government affairs.
