Ottawa (August 28, 2013) – A new expert panel report on research and development in Canadian industry has found that, despite Canada's historically poor performance in industrial R&D, four sectors of national strength exist.
The State of Industrial R&D in Canada, released today by the Council of Canadian Academies, provides a comprehensive and evidence-based analysis of Canada's R&D strengths in industry, how these strengths are distributed regionally, and also how they align with Canada's overall research and economic performance.
The four key areas of strength are:
- Aerospace products and parts manufacturing;
- Information and communication technologies;
- Oil and gas extraction; and
- Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing.
Although there is no single method for measuring IR&D strength, by using a wide range of indicators, including new patenting, publication, and expenditure data, the Panel found that IR&D activity is concentrated in central Canada, with Ontario and Quebec ranking highest, followed by Alberta and British Columbia. However, this does not exclude the potential impact one small firm can have anywhere in Canada.
"Industrial R&D has been a source of perennial concern for Canadian policy-makers as it is an important contributor to the innovation process," said Expert Panel Chair Kathleen Sendall, C.M., FCAE, Director, CGG and Director of Enmax Corporation. "This report will serve as an important baseline for policy and decision-making going forward as it is one of the most detailed and systematic studies on industrial R&D ever undertaken in Canada."
The Council's report, The State of Industrial R&D in Canada, provides an in-depth analysis of research and development activities in Canadian industries. While many reports have documented Canada's historical weakness in industrial R&D, this report sheds new light on the subject by examining areas of strength and how these strengths are distributed regionally. The report also overviews how R&D strengths align with Canada's areas of excellence in science and technology research and economic performance. Evidence related to the barriers and gaps that limit the translation of Canada's S&T strengths into innovation and wealth creation are also examined. This evidence-based report is one of the most detailed and systematic studies of the state of industrial research and development ever undertaken in Canada. It will serve as an important benchmark and tool for future policy and decision-making.This report was requested by Industry Canada via the Minister of Industry. It was conducted by a 14-member multidisciplinary panel of experts, chaired by Kathleen E. Sendall, C.M., FCAE, Director of CGG Veritas in Paris, France and Director of Enmax Corporation in Calgary Alberta.
(Photo Credit: Council of Canadian Academies)
The Panel's assessment also revealed that IR&D in Canada is relatively personnel intensive and less capital intensive than in other comparative countries, and that fewer large firms undertake IR&D in Canada. IR&D expenditures in Canada are now roughly half of the U.S. level and declining. This gap is largely driven by low IR&D intensity in Canadian high-tech manufacturing sectors, such as semiconductor and computer equipment manufacturing.
"Building a strong foundation of IR&D is essential if Canada is to compete globally, and the report sheds light on this complex topic," said Elizabeth Dowdeswell, O.C., President and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies. "Along with its companion report, The State of Science and Technology in Canada, 2012, this Panel's report will contribute to the informed, evidence-based discussion about Canada's future prosperity."
Source: Council of Canadian Academies