The State of Industrial Research and Development in Canada
The Minister of Industry, on behalf of Industry Canada, has asked the Council of Canadian Academies to assess the state of science and technology and industrial research and development in Canada. The Council will work with two expert panels to respond to this question. The end result will be a comprehensive evidence-base of all science and technology activity in Canada.
Progress Report
The Expert Panel on Industrial Research and Development held its fourth meeting in Calgary on October 1-2. At that time, the Panel considered research gathered by Council staff, key evidence relevant to the report findings, and a first draft of the report itself. Work is now under way to develop a comprehensive draft that will go for peer review.
Background
Industrial research and development (R&D) is a means by which the industry sector can grow through exploring and creating new products and processes or by improving existing products and procedures.
The Council’s assessment will examine existing and emerging areas of R&D strength across sectors and how these trends compare globally.
Question
What is the current state of industrial research and development (R&D) in Canada?
- How are these strengths distributed by sector and geographically across the country? How do these trends compare with what has been taking place in comparable countries?
- In which scientific disciplines and technological applications are our relative strengths most aligned with Canada's economic strengths / industry needs?
- What are the key barriers and knowledge gaps in translating Canadian strengths in S&T into innovation and wealth creation?
Expert Panel
Council staff and members of the Expert Panel on the State of Industrial Research and Development
The Expert Panel on the State of Industrial Research and Development is chaired by Kathleen Sendall, Director, CGG Veritas; Director of Enmax Corporation; Vice Chair, Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions; and Co-Chair, Canada West/Asia Pacific Foundation Task Force. For a complete list of panel members visit the Expert Panel on the State of Industrial Research and Development page.
For further information, please contact:
Janet Bax, Program Director at 613-567-5000 ext. 267 or janet.bax@scienceadvice.ca
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Receive our newsletter, notifications of new assessments topics, news releases, and more!Other work in R&D:
The 2010 federal panel, chaired by Mr. Tom Jenkins, launched its report in October 2011, providing recommendations to the Government of Canada on how it can maximize the impact of the $7 billion it spends annually in support of business and commercially-oriented R&D.
The work of the federal panel focused on the effectiveness of federal programs whereas the Council’s expert panel will assess the overall state of industrial R&D in Canada.