Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage: Progress Report 2009

A Modern Approach to Science and Technology Management

A modern approach to science and technology (S&T) management is vital to supporting Canada's goal to be a world leader in S&T and innovation.

The Government of Canada has taken significant steps to realize gains in this area — moving forward with activities aimed at strengthening Canada's domestic and international S&T partnerships and seeking a fresh approach to accessing external S&T advice.

The following will look at how the government is taking action to make Canada a world leader through stronger domestic and international partnerships; revitalizing our external S&T advisory bodies; and improving S&T impact measurement and reporting.

Making Canada a World Leader through Stronger Domestic and International Partnerships

Today's innovation leaders search out and tap into sources of knowledge discovery and business opportunity all over the world — from China to Brazil, from Halifax to Victoria. For Canada to prosper in the global knowledge economy, we must excel at connecting to the global supply of ideas, talent and technology.

Strengthening Our Domestic Science and Technology Partnerships

Canada's provincial and territorial governments make significant contributions to Canada's economic prosperity and quality of life through a range of S&T activities.

In keeping with its commitment to the principle of partnerships, the Government of Canada continues to strengthen its collaborative relationships with Canada's provincial and territorial governments, by actively engaging in the work of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Working Group on Innovation.

The $2-billion investment in repairs, maintenance and construction at Canada's colleges and universities announced in Budget 2009, also involves close collaboration with provinces and territories.

Connecting to the Global Supply of Ideas, Talent and Technology

Enhancing Canada's links with global S&T and innovation networks is a key priority if Canadian researchers and entrepreneurs are going to achieve world-class results in today's highly competitive, global scientific and business environments.

S&T agreements are an important part of Canada's Global Commerce Strategy (GCS), which has a $50-million annual budget to develop Canada's trade and investment interests at home and abroad. As part of the GCS, the Government of Canada has strengthened its network of trade commissioners around the world to meet the needs of globally engaged Canadian companies seeking new sources of innovation or taking their products to market.

The Government of Canada has also completed its assessment of Canada's S&T presence on the international scene and is continuing to explore options to further contribute to and benefit from international S&T developments. While Canadian scientists and technology-oriented entrepreneurs are already enjoying the benefits of Canada's S&T partnerships and agreements with the United States (e.g., the Canada–California Strategic Innovation Partnership), India, China and Israel, they will soon be able to take advantage of recently signed agreements with Brazil and Chile. Going forward, the government will continue to pursue new S&T partnerships with a range of countries with which Canada can shape mutually beneficial S&T relationships.

Revitalizing Our External Science and Technology Advisory Bodies

The S&T Strategy highlighted the need to bring the Government of Canada's sources of external advice into line with the realities of today's complex and increasingly integrated S&T environment.

To achieve this goal, the Government of Canada appointed the Chair of the new Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) in June 2007 and the members of the Council in October 2007. The STIC meets regularly to develop advice on S&T and innovation issues of national importance, as requested by the Minister of Industry or other ministers via the Minister of Industry.

Its impact is already visible. In 2008, the Minister of Industry accepted the Council's recommendations on sub-priorities for S&T investment from the four research priority areas identified in the S&T Strategy. The Council also played a role in shaping the design of the highly acclaimed Canada Excellence Research Chairs and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships.

The priorities and sub-priorities identified by the STIC are being used by the three granting councils to guide their investments.

Improving Science and Technology Impact Measurement and Reporting

Recognizing the need to provide greater accountability to Canadians, the Government of Canada is engaged in efforts to increase its ability to measure and report on the impact of its S&T investments.

The Policy Research Initiative is leading a group of federal science-based departments and agencies to find ways to better identify, describe, measure and report on the impacts of federally performed S&T. A working paper was published and an event was held in 2008. Additional working papers and a final report will be released in 2009.

Also, in May 2009, the STIC released its inaugural report State of the Nation 2008 – Canada's Science, Technology and Innovation System. It is a benchmarking report, to compare Canada's performance with that of other countries. Along with this report, these documents will help to better inform Canadians about S&T.