Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage—2007

Message from the Minister of Industry

The fundamental importance of science and technology to our economy and quality of life is recognized in Advantage Canada — our new economic plan. Launched in November 2006, Advantage Canada is designed to make Canada a world leader. Central to Advantage Canada is the need to increase our private-sector research and development investments, increase the practical applications of our research in Canada, and create the best-educated, skilled, and most flexible workforce in the world.

Our new strategic plan for science and technology — Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage — builds upon Advantage Canada. It provides an overall guide for future government science and technology decision-making.

The most important role of the Government of Canada is to ensure a competitive marketplace and foster an investment climate that encourages the private sector to innovate.

We are building this economic climate through low and stable inflation rates and by reducing the government debt burden, reducing unnecessary regulation, attracting foreign investment, cutting red tape, enhancing internal trade and labour mobility, and creating a competitive tax environment. Other important instruments also encourage private-sector investment in R&D and advanced technologies.

Governments have a responsibility to create the right conditions and opportunities for businesses, universities, and other scientific organizations to be successful. That's exactly what our new science and technology strategy is designed to do.

Let's create a new culture of scientific and technological achievement in our country, and bring new ideas and innovations to the world.

Maxime Bernier
Minister of Industry