Site Map | Overview | R&D Expenditure | R&D Output | Human Resources | S&T Policies | S&T Organizations | Emerging Technologies |

S&T Policies

R&D Promotional Policies

• Research & Development Tax Credit Program is a program supported by both the Federal Government and the Government of Quebec which allows companies to reclaim a total of 70% of their R & D expenditures, including an allowance for overheads and materials used in that R & D. The 2004 KPMG study Competitive Alternatives compared costs in various R&D-related industry sectors in 11 North American, European and Asia-Pacific countries. It found Canadian R&D costs were easily the lowest in the survey.
• Companies receive investment tax credits (ITCs) of 20% or 35% on qualifying expenditures through a cash refund, a reduction of taxes payable, or both. The unused ITCs can be carried back for three years, or forwarded for up to ten years.
• Firms are allowed to deduct current and capital SR&ED expenditures to reduce taxable income in the current year—or carry these expenditures forward indefinitely to reduce tax liability in future years.
• Encouraging pension fund participation in venture capital investments— Budget 2001 and Budget 2003 included tax measures that removed impediments to pension fund investments in venture capital markets through limited partnerships, a vehicle that pension funds prefer for such investments.
• Targeted venture capital pools—The Business Development Bank of Canada and Farm Credit Canada have established targeted venture capital operations, together estimated at $310 million by March 2003, to increase financing of knowledge-based and export-oriented businesses.
• Industry Canada's mission is to foster a growing competitive, knowledge-based Canadian economy. Program areas include developing industry and technology capability, fostering scientific research, setting telecommunications policy, promoting investment and trade, promoting tourism and small business development, and setting rules and services that support the effective operation of the marketplace.
• International Trade Canada's S&T Program: Its objectives are to play a strategic leadership role in enhancing Canada’s Science and Technology (S&T) capacity, competitiveness and prosperity through effective international linkages for Canadian research institutions, universities and firms.

Government R&D Programs

• Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) is a program to partner business and the federal government to encourage economic growth and create jobs.
• Industrial sponsorship of university-based R&D is on the rise in Canada. Canada's three granting councils, NSERC, MRC, and the SSHRC support research excellence and training highly qualified personnel in Canadian universities.
• The federal Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program is an innovative approach to R&D.
• The mission of the Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research, Industry and Education (CANARIE) is to facilitate the development of critical aspects of Canada's communications infrastructure.
• The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) coordinates all federal civil space activities, and manages the Canadian Space Program (CSP).
• The Communications Research Centre (CRC)is a principle federal research centre in telecommunications, broadcasting, and information technology.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D)

• Measuring the Compliance Cost of Tax Expenditures: The Case of Research and Development Incentives By Sally Gunz, University of Waterloo, Alan Macnaughton, University of Waterloo, and Karen Wensley, Ernst & Young, Toronto. Working Paper No. 6. January 1996
• Institutional Aspects of R&D Incentives: The Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit by Doern, G. Bruce. Carleton University, Carleton University, under contract to Industry Canada. Occasional Paper No. 6. April 1995.

  Technology Developement and Diffusion Centers

  • Attracting Investment and Technology to Canada
  • CEFRIO (trans. Francophone Center on Organizational Computerization)
  • Composite Materials Centre
  • ECRI
  • Forming Technologies Incorporated (FTI)
  • Machine Tool Controller Technology Opportunities
  • Natural Gas Technology Centre
  • Technology Visits Program

  S&T Foundation for Policy, Regulation and Service is about Environment Canada's S&T efforts for public interest. Science and technology is the foundation of Environment Canada. Seventy per cent of the Department’s budget is devoted to science and technology (S&T) activities, and about two-thirds of its employees are in S&T positions.

  INTELLECTUAL POLICIES

  • The Intellectual Property Policy group consists of two directorates: the Intellectual Property Policy Directorate (IPPD) and the Patent Policy Directorate (PPD).
    • IPPD’s role is to advise the Minister of Industry and senior departmental officials on intellectual property matters except for patents and together with other interested federal departments, to develop specific policy proposals and legislative initiatives in these areas.Along with the Copyright Policy Branch at Canadian Heritage, IPPD develops significant policies on copyright matters.
    • PPD's role is to advise senior departmental officials and the Minister of Industry on patent policy matters, and together with other interested federal departments, develops specific policy proposals and legislative initatives. Working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, it also provides key Canadian representation on patent issues.
  • Marketplace Framework Policy Branch (MFPB): The Branch contributes to the research on, and development of marketplace framework policies, laws and regulations, so as to ensure a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace that promotes innovation and investment for Canadians.
    For further information, visit Intellectual Policies
  • The Copyright Policy Branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage, in co-operation with the Intellectual Property Policy Directorate of Industry Canada, is responsible for formulating and implementing an integrated Canadian copyright policy.
  • MaRS is the brainchild of leaders in Canada's academic, business, and scientific communities who were inspired to create a central facility for all of the major players in the commercialisation process: industry, venture capital, IP and patent lawyers, and funding agencies. The aim is to offer assistance to the spinoff enterprises formed by the local research community. $20-million funding for the Medical and Related Sciences Centre was provided for by the Government of Canada in the February 2003 budget.

  IPO organisations/mediators

  • NSERC's role includes promoting the use of knowledge to build a strong national economy and improve the quality of life of Canadians. As a condition of accepting an award, NSERC grantees agree to disclose to their institutions any IP with commercial potential arising from the award, should they decide to pursue commercialization.
  • Licencing Opportunities
  • Intellectual Property Firms in Canada

  Canadian Standards Organizations and Associations

  • Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ)
  • Calibration Laboratory Assesment Service (NRC)
  • Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories Inc.
  • Canadian Calibration Network
  • Canadian Gas Association (CGA)
  • Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)
  • Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
  • KPMG Quality Registrar
  • Quality Management Institute (QMI)
  • SCC Accredited Certification Organizations
  • SCC Accredited Environmental Management Systems Registrars
  • SCC Accredited Laboratories
  • SCC Accredited Quality Systems Registration Organizations
  • Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
  • Telecommunications Standards Advisory Council of Canada (TSACC)
  • Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC)