R&D overview Canada

n      First-class research networking among universities, colleges and other institutions, and generous R&D tax treatment make Canada one of the best locations in the world to conduct sophisticated, cost-effective Science & Technologies partnerships and industrial R&D in just about any sector one can think of.

n      A first-class technological infrastructure. In 2002, the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Canada first among G-7 countries and third among 49 countries, after Finland and Singapore, in its development and application of technology. Among G-7 countries, the IMD also ranked Canada second only to the United States in its funding for technological development, its information technology skills and its technological co-operation.

n      A work force with an impressive skill level. Per capita, Canada has more citizens with post-secondary education than any other country, including more than 25,000 engineering and science graduates annually. In addition to top-ranking engineering schools, several of our business schools are rated in the top 100 management schools in the world, as surveyed by the Financial Times (U.K.).

n      Rising international S&T collaboration. Out of the more than 24,000 scientific papers published by Canadians in 2000, nearly 40% were produced in partnership with scientists in other countries, up from 25% 10 years ago (Figure 5). Also up is Canada’s number of patents with foreign co-inventors: more than 4,000 between 1990 and 2000.

n      Industry. Knowledge-intensive companies involved in R&D are essential partners in Canada’s S&T system, accounting for about 66% of R&D performed. Partnerships are at the heart of the Canadian innovation system’s success, not only because they speed the transfer of scientific discoveries from the lab to industry, but because they increase communication between researchers and business leaders.

n      Universities and colleges: basic and commercial research. More than 100 Canadian universities and colleges collaborate with national and international industry partners on R&D of commercial interest.