Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage—2007

Notes

1 Consistent with the work of the Council of Canadian Academies, this Strategy defines science and technology "as a joint entity, [rather] than as two separate endeavors, hence the symbol "S&T." It encompasses the traditional disciplines in the natural sciences — the study of nature; the social sciences, humanities and health sciences — the study of human beings; and engineering — the creation and study of artifacts and systems. Our conception of S&T includes, but does not specify, the myriad connections from science to technology and vice versa. It encompasses a very broad concept of technology — the predictable and reproducible application of knowledge in everyday life, in the form of goods, services, organizations, methods and tools." Council of Canadian Academies, The State of Science & Technology in Canada (2006) p. 29.

2 Research and Development (R&D): refers to the creative work undertaken on a systematic basis to increase the stock of scientific and technical knowledge and use this knowledge in new applications. It includes experimental development (work done to achieve technological advancement to create or improve new materials, devices, products or processes); applied research (work done to advance scientific knowledge with a specific practical application in view); and basic research (work done to advance scientific knowledge without a practical application in view).

3 Jean-Philippe Cotis, "Benchmarking Canada's Economic Performance", International Productivity Monitor, Number 13 (Fall 2006), p. 3-5.

4 OECD, The Sources of Economic Growth in OECD Countries (2003).

5 Brzustowski, T. "Innovation in Canada: Learning from the Top 100 R&D Spenders". Optimum Online. Vol. 36, Issue 4, December 2006.

6 Some documents that illustrate this consensus include People and Excellence: The Heart of Successful Commercialization, The Expert Panel on Commercialization, 2006; Reinventing Innovation and Commercialization Policy in Ontario, The Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, Working Paper #6, 2004; Striving for Excellence, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, 2003; Investing in Innovation, Conference Board of Canada, 2001; and Risk and Reward: Creating a Canadian Culture of Innovation, Business Council on National Issues, 2000.

7 Statistics Canada, Estimates of Canadian Research and Development Expenditure (GERD), Cat. No. 88F0006XIE2006009 (September 2006).

8 OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators 2006/2 (December 2006).

9 Statistics Canada, special tabulations for Canada Economic Development, Quebec Regions, 2006.

10 Statistics Canada, Estimates of Canadian Research and Development Expenditure (GERD), Cat. No. 88F0006XIE2006009 (September 2006).

11 U.K. Department of Trade and Industry, 2006 R&D Scoreboard (2006).

12 Statistics Canada, The Daily (November 23, 2005).

13 OECD, ICT and Economic Growth: Evidence from OECD Countries, Industries and Firms, 2003.

14 Industry Canada, Telecommunications Policy Review Panel Final Report (Ottawa: 2006), Chapter 7, p. 12.

15 Council of Canadian Academies, The State of Science & Technology in Canada, 2006.

16 Thirty one per cent of the 1,755 Canada Research Chairs that have been created to date were offered to leading researchers from around the world, including 244 Canadians who decided to return to Canada to make their contribution here.

17 Only four Canadian universities rank among the top 100 in the world; none ranks among the top 20. Shanghai Jiao Tong University Index 2006.

18 OECD Science,Technology and Industry Outlook, 2006.

19 OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook, 2006, pp. 50-51.

20 Dominique Guellec and Bruno van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie (2001) estimate that public R&D generates 30 per cent greater spillover benefits across the economy, compared with the more limited (but still important) spillover benefits from private-sector research.

21 The marginal effective tax rate is an indicator of the tax burden on new investment. It includes not only the statutory tax rate, but also deductions and credits associated with purchasing capital goods and other taxes paid by corporations. It measures the extra return on an investment required to pay corporate-level taxes, expressed as a percentage of the total return on the investment.

22 NCE website

23 Council of Canadian Academies, The State of Science and Technology in Canada, 2006.

24 Canada attracts 5 per cent of OECD international post-secondary students studying abroad, behind Australia (6 per cent), France (9 per cent), Germany (10 per cent), U.K. (11 per cent), and the U.S. (22 per cent). OECD, Education at a Glance 2006.

25 Jeffrey Crelinsten, Impact Group, The Federal Government's Role in Promoting a "Knowledge Culture" (September 14, 2006.)