INST Committee Report

LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

CHAPTER 1: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CONTRIBUTIONS TO A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY

Recommendation No. 1

That the Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) design a new composite indicator of a country’s investment in knowledge that goes beyond the current Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development definition that includes education, research and development, and software. This should enable us to rank Canada amongst comparable countries of the world.

CHAPTER 2: THE INNOVATION RECORD

Recommendation No. 2

That the Government of Canada design and adopt a public policy instrument that specifically targets and encourages R&D-intensive industries to invest in Canada.

CHAPTER 3: THE CANADIAN INNOVATION SYSTEM

Recommendation No. 3

That the Government of Canada adopt science and technology policies to strengthen the components of the country’s innovation system and to improve the linkages between its components.

CHAPTER 4: THE INNOVATION POLICY FRAMEWORK

Recommendation No. 4

That the Government of Canada target the number of scientific publications (per 100,000 population) and resident patent applications (per 10,000 population), which are surrogate measures of scientific discoveries and technological innovation, respectively, produced and processed each year in Canada. Canada’s relative performance should be benchmarked — and government policy should be assessed — on these terms against comparable countries of the world.

Recommendation No. 5

That the Government of Canada pledge its support and commitment to improved technology development and diffusion, particularly amongst Canadian small and medium-sized businesses.

Recommendation No. 6

That the Government of Canada review its current governance structure for federal science and technology and transform the Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) to a Minister of Science and Technology responsible for overall federal science and technology issues and programs.

CHAPTER 5: STRATEGIC S&T INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Recommendation No. 7

That the Government of Canada develop a definitive advisory process for large scientific projects, particularly those with an international component.

CHAPTER 6: "VALUE FOR MONEY" FROM FEDERAL S&T SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Recommendation No. 8

That the Government of Canada improve the reporting of the Industrial Research Assistance Program’s project results without disturbing the "business-like manner" in which the program is delivered.

Recommendation No. 9

That the Government of Canada immediately double its appropriations for an expansion of the Industrial Research Assistance Program.

Recommendation No. 10

That the Government of Canada substantially increase its appropriations for an expansion of the Technology Partnerships Canada program and eliminate the one-third, two-thirds split between aerospace/defence and advanced enabling technologies of total funds invested from the mandate of Technology Partnerships Canada.

Recommendation No. 11

That the Government of Canada expedite the work of the National Research Council and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency to align their eligibility criteria of research and development expenditures and modify the relevant tax regulations that would see eligible research and development expenditures under the Industrial Research Assistance Program made de facto eligible under the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive program.

CHAPTER 7: FEDERAL RESEARCH AGENCIES

Recommendation No. 12

That the Government of Canada provide financial support to the National Research Council of Canada to implement an expanded innovation cluster strategy.

Recommendation No. 13

That the Government of Canada increase its financial support of the Canadian Space Agency to enable Canada to play a more significant role in national and international space science projects as part of its innovation agenda.

CHAPTER 8: THE GRANTING COUNCILS AND THE CANADA FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATION

Recommendation No. 14

That the Government of Canada work with the Canada Foundation for Innovation in developing and implementing conflict-of-interest rules and mechanisms regarding complaints and redress consistent with that of federal government agencies.

CHAPTER 9: THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS REGIME

Recommendation No. 15

That the Government of Canada commit to maintain the current intellectual property rights and protection regime, while adopting the policy position that any non-trivial extension of any aspect of this privilege requires a demonstration of its net benefits to society.

CHAPTER 10: UNIVERSITY RESEARCH, R&D COSTS AND COMMERCIALIZATION

Recommendation No. 16

That the Government of Canada analyze the direct and indirect research costs at Canadian universities and colleges. Based on this information, the Government of Canada and provinces negotiate a new funding agreement that would take into account direct and indirect research costs and also the differential between large and small universities and colleges.

Recommendation No. 17

That the Government of Canada, after consultation with the provinces, develop a comprehensive policy on the commercialization of university and college research that would include rules on disclosure, ownership of results and administration issues.

CHAPTER 11: FINANCING INNOVATION START-UP FIRMS

Recommendation No. 18

That the Government of Canada direct the Business Development Bank of Canada and the National Research Council of Canada to develop and implement a joint incubation/technology-transfer assistance strategy. The strategy should encourage private venture capital firms and labour-sponsored fund participation.