Industry Canada Milestones:
October 17, 2000, to January 20, 2002
For many years, innovation has been the key to productivity growth in all sectors of the economy. And Industry Canada has been a key player in the government's efforts to create a more innovative culture in Canada and to brand Canada as a world-leading innovator. In order to accomplish these goals, the Department worked to improve Canada's innovation performance by supporting skills development, new technologies, and research and development. Industry Canada continues to help build and strengthen Canada's economy in all regions and communities across the country.
On March 6, 2001, Industry Minister Brian Tobin and Finance Minister Paul Martin announced a $750-million federal investment in the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). This investment extended the CFI's research infrastructure funding programs to 2010, while also building upon the $500 million that was allocated to the CFI in the 2000 Economic Statement and Budget Update to begin supporting operating costs of new research infrastructure.
The CFI, an independent not-for-profit organization, was established by the Government of Canada in 1997 to provide research infrastructure awards to universities, colleges, research hospitals and not-for-profit institutions. The Government of Canada allocated $3.15 billion to the CFI in the first five years of its existence.
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for research, science and technology met in Québec City on September 21, 2001, to discuss ways to improve research and development performance and make Canada one of the most innovative countries in the world.
This meeting gave research, science and technology ministers from all governments the opportunity to review progress, explore future directions and scope out efforts needed to place Canada among the top five countries in the world in research intensity and excellence.
The Government of Canada wanted to make Canada a world leader in genomics (the science of deciphering and understanding the genetic code of life). To accomplish this, Industry Canada invested $300 million in Genome Canada to spearhead a national genomics strategy. Five Genome Centres have been established across the country. The centres have been coordinating genomics research with other partners such as provincial governments, the private sector, and national and international foundations.
Genomics promises tremendous quality-of-life benefits for all Canadians, and is a key economic engine of the 21st century. Genomics could lead to:
- new medicines, tools for disease prevention, health surveillance and diagnosis;
- environmental technologies to address such problems as global warming and pollution; and
- a means to increase agriculture, aquaculture and forestry productivity and sustainability.
Genome Canada also undertook a research program to address the ethical, legal and social issues associated with genomics research.
A Government of Canada investment in a home refueling appliance was announced on September 5, 2001, by Roy Cullen, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of Minister Tobin, Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources and David Anderson, Minister of the Environment. The device could allow people to refill natural-gas vehicles at home using a device fitted to their home gas systems.
The Government of Canada provided $2.96 million in repayable funding to FuelMaker Corporation to design and test the appliance. Additional funding in the amount of $1.25 million was provided by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the United States Department of Energy and the California Air Resources Board. The home refueling appliance was to be compact and easy to operate, with a maintenance-free life of about five years. The project was expected to create a total of 126 jobs and significantly reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions by encouraging the increased use of cleaner natural gas-powered vehicles.
Advisory Council on Science and Technology Report
On October 17, 2000, an independent Expert Panel on Canada's Role in International Science and Technology released its report Reaching out: Canada, International Science and Technology, and the Knowledge-based Economy. The expert panel, established by the Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology concluded that Canada needed to strengthen its policy framework for involvement in international science and technology, create an efficient mechanism for coordination within the federal government, and ensure an appropriate level of investment.
Space Vision Laser Camera System
A new Canadian-made Space Vision Laser Camera System was onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (Mission STS-105) launched on August 9, 2001, thanks in large part to the strategic partnership of the Industry Portfolio through Technology Partnerships Canada and the Canadian Space Agency.
Neptec Design Group developed this eye-safe laser technology allowing astronauts to work more effectively with the Canadarm and Canadarm2. Among its other features, the system is able to analyse images to precisely determine the position of objects in space. It is also capable of collecting precise three-dimensional images of those objects, even in the harsh lighting conditions of space.
CSTA STEPS Report
On August 16, 2001, Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) Gilbert Normand released the third report of the Council of Science and Technology Advisors (CSTA), Science and Technology Excellence in the Public Service (STEPS): a Framework for Excellence in Federally Performed Science and Technology.
This report offered guidance on how to foster and measure excellence in the conduct and management of federally performed science and technology (S&T). The report recommended the adoption of a framework that calls for federally conducted S&T to be of high quality, relevant to the roles and priorities of government, conducted with the degree of transparency and openness called for in a democratic nation, and pursued in accordance with the ethical standards of Canadian society.
Technology in Government Week 2001
A special highlight of Technology in Government Week was the annual Distinction Awards Gala that took place at the Museum of Civilization on October 15, 2001. The Distinction Awards Program was established to acknowledge and celebrate leadership, excellence and innovation in the management and use of information and communications technologies to enable government operations and public service delivery.
More than 250 outstanding individuals and teams from three orders of government across the country were nominated by their colleagues, including more than 165 federal nominations. Fifty-four of the most outstanding nominations qualified as finalists. A distinguished panel of judges from industry and government made the final selection of the 20 medal winners.
Industry Canada was recognized with the following:
Gold — Award for annual achievement, leadership
Paula Vieira, Canadian Consumer Information Gateway
Gold — Innovative Partnerships and Alliances for Public Service Delivery
Canadian Consumer Information Gateway
Silver — Client-Centred Service Delivery
Canada Site and the Business (IC), Canadians and Non-Canadians gateways
Bronze — Serving Canadians better through IM/IT Innovations
Business Start-Up Assistant from the Canada Business Service Centres
Finalist — Innovative Partnerships and Alliances for Public Service Delivery
Canada Site and the Business (IC), Canadians and Non-Canadians gateways
Finalist — Improving Service Delivery to Citizens and Business; and for Enhancing Government Operations through Improved Systems and Services
Electronic Services, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch
Connectedness was, and is, the indispensable condition for success in the knowledge economy. Canada's competitive presence in the global economy has always depended upon the speed and efficiency with which Canadians gained access to, and took advantage of, the Internet.
Improving access to this powerful computer-mediated communications network, promoting the development of on-line content and applications, putting government services on-line and making it easier for Canadians to participate in e-commerce is how Canada became one of the most connected countries in the world.
The Smart Communities Program is a three-year government program created and administered by Industry Canada to help Canada become a world leader in the development and use of information and communications technologies for economic, social and cultural development.
Ontario
As part of the Ontario Smart Community Demonstration Project, Minister Tobin announced the launch of the $6.5-million Smart Communities initiative for the city of Ottawa on May 8, 2001. This project enabled the Ottawa region to offer more on-line government, community, education and business services, as well as public Internet access sites. Industry Canada contributed $2 million for start-up costs for the 160 Community Access Sites as part of the Ottawa SmartSites Network.
Saskatchewan
On August 21, 2001, Minister Tobin launched the Saskatchewan Smart Community Demonstration Project called The Headwaters Project.
Through this project, smart services, including the following, were made available to the citizens of nearly 40 communities in Northern Saskatchewan:
- e-learning, allowing students to complete high-school, post-secondary and vocational courses on-line;
- e-commerce, where entrepreneurs could expand their markets and promote their products;
- e-tourism, allowing Northern Saskatchewan to be promoted on-line;
- e-business, where banking services could be completed on-line;
- e-health, where medical professionals could upgrade their skills on-line and residents could inform themselves on the latest medical advances; and
- e-heritage, where these northern communities could showcase their heritage and culture on-line.
Alberta
On October 24, 2001, Minister Tobin announced the launch of the Calgary INFOPORT Community Empowerment Project. This Alberta Smart Community Demonstration Project sought to improve lives by reducing the digital divide for Calgary's less-fortunate citizens.
The Calgary INFOPORT Community Empowerment Project provided a combination of computer hardware, software and training at access points convenient to those at risk so that they could have access to all of the information available on the Internet.
Aboriginal Smart Community Project
On July 6, 2001, Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, on behalf of Minister Tobin, launched the Aboriginal Smart Community Demonstration Project, The Kuh-ke-nah Network of Smart First Nations.
The network partners carried out projects in partnership with K-Net that tied into one of five smart services:
- Community Information Technology Centres in each of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations;
- the K-Net Portal, a high-speed, interactive gateway to community information and services;
- Data Warehouses for information storage and retrieval;
- a major telehealth demonstration initiative; and
- the Keewaytinook On-line Secondary School.
Prince Edward Island
On May 22, 2001, Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, on behalf of Minister Tobin, launched the Prince Edward Island Smart Community Demonstration Project, Virtual Charlottetown, an Internet-based virtual town square.
Services such as the Community Exploration Forum enhanced existing geographic information system services, providing residents with accurate maps to locate services, sites of interest and businesses, as well as home layouts for fire safety. It also offered users virtual tours of heritage areas and galleries. The Learning Centre, the Marketplace and the Community Builder's Forum made up the other smart services available.
Newfoundland and Labrador
On March 29, 2001, Lawrence O'Brien, Member of Parliament for Labrador, on behalf of Minister Tobin, launched the Newfoundland and Labrador Smart Community Demonstration Project, SmartLabrador.
Services included tele-medicine for all Labrador nursing stations and health centres, improved distance education and an on-line Labrador news network.
Nova Scotia
On February 24, 2001, Robert Thibault, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), on behalf of Minister Tobin, launched the Western Valley Smart Community demonstration project.
Western Valley project goals included delivering on-line education in English and French, helping businesses adopt e-commerce, giving all 43 000 citizens of the region free access to e-mail, and providing public Internet access through 100 kiosks.
In its report The New National Dream: Networking the Nation for Broadband Access, this arm's-length task force outlined its recommendations to the Government of Canada on how best to make high-speed broadband Internet services available to all Canadian communities by 2004. After the Task Force released its report on June 18, 2001 Industry Canada worked to develop an appropriate plan of action that addressed the Task Force's recommendations and met the priorities it identified.
The Community Access Program (CAP), part of the Government of Canada's Connecting Canadians strategy, is establishing public Internet access sites in remote, rural and urban communities, nationwide. Canadians from all walks of life — youth, seniors and people with disabilities — use CAP sites for learning, developing skills, accessing government services and creating business opportunities.
On August 21, 2001, Minister Tobin and Olayuk Akesuk, Nunavut Minister of Sustainable Development, on behalf of Peter Kilabuk, Nunavut Minister of Education, signed an agreement to establish community Internet access sites in Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Clyde River, Gjoa Haven, Igloolik, Pangnirtung and one other community to be determined. Industry Canada and the Government of Nunavut each contributed $130 000 towards establishing these sites.
Local residents are able to access the Internet from these sites, and can take advantage of training sessions, Web page development and other services relevant to the needs of their community. Like all Community Access sites, the new Nunavut sites involve community-based organizations, the private sector and all levels of government working together to capture the enabling power of the Information Highway.
Minister Tobin announced on June 14, 2001, that the Computers for Schools Program had reached its target of 250 000 recycled computers donated to Canadian schools and libraries. Computers for Schools was a national program led by the federal government and operating in cooperation with all provinces and territories, as well as with the private and volunteer sectors. Under the program, donated surplus computers were collected, repaired and refurbished, then distributed to schools and libraries throughout Canada free of charge.
On October 14, 2001, Steve Mahoney, Member of Parliament for Mississauga West, on behalf of Minister Tobin, and Renato Discenza, Senior Vice-President, Operations, Bell Canada, announced Bell Canada as the first major sponsor for SchoolNet's Network of Innovative Schools. Bell's contribution was $450 000 over three years. They also recognized 31 Canadian schools for their outstanding innovation with information and communications technology.
Minister Tobin and Steven McArthur, President and CEO of AOL Canada Inc., announced AOL Canada as a $1-million Founding Partner of SchoolNet GrassRoots, a Government of Canada program that funds the creation of on-line learning resources by students in kindergarten through Grade 12.
On May 30, 2001, Minister Tobin and Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State (Rural Development), released the report Rural Canada in the Knowledge-Based Economy. This report found that rural Canada is increasingly involved in the new economy, with an increasingly educated work force and rising levels of computer and Internet use. However, the report also discovered that rural Canada lags behind urban Canada in terms of literacy and education levels, training, high-speed access, connectedness and innovation.
SkillNet.ca is an initiative that assists national associations, non-profit organizations, industry associations and sector councils in adapting their service delivery to the Internet. Two new niche market sites were designed, developed and added to the network in 2001. These sites address the needs of Aboriginals and health employment in Canada. Along with these two new sites, SkillNet.ca provides on-line services and tools for education, aviation, arts and culture, and the volunteer community.
The success of Campus WorkLink, SkillNet.ca's flagship site, led to its transfer to the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers. The site has been subsequently transferred to the Workopolis Partnership, a wholly owned and operated Canadian company.
Canada's Campus Connections is a government initiative opening the door to thousands of on-line learning opportunities by promoting more than 1800 university and college on-line courses to national and international markets. Campus Connection's goal is to help Canada's post-secondary institutions expand their on-line presence at home and abroad, reach new markets with their on-line courses and learning materials, and make on-line learning more accessible by removing barriers to learner mobility.
Web-4-All is a software product developed by Industry Canada and the University of Toronto that is designed to improve customized access to the Internet for people with disabilities and people with literacy issues. The software allows users to retain their Internet access preferences on a smart card, then use this card to instantly reconfigure any Web-4-All–enabled public access computer to provide an Internet access interface that meets their needs.
On June 21, 2001, Minister Tobin, on behalf of the Government of Canada, announced a $60 000 investment to put state-of-the-art information technology into the hands of the fishing industry.
Fishers were equipped with handheld computers connected to global positioning systems that enabled them to enter catch data onboard. This information could be uploaded dockside to geographic information systems workstations and integrated with other related data (e.g. water temperatures). The resulting information could be shared with other fishers, scientists and managers via the Internet.
On June 8, 2001, Minister Tobin announced an on-line collection of artwork by Newfoundland and Labrador artist Christopher Pratt.
Drawing From Memory: the Art and Life of Christopher Pratt features 209 of the artist's works, as well as information about his life. The site has been created as an educational resource by a team of six young people working under the direction of the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On January 14, 2002, Minister Tobin and Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of International Trade, announced that the European Commission had ruled that Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act met the rigorous standards for the protection of personal data as outlined in the European Union's Data Protection Directive. This unanimous decision by the European Parliament and the Commission allowed for the continued flow of personal information between the European Union and Canada.
On February 1, 2001, Minister Tobin announced the provisional licence winners of the Personal Communications Services spectrum auction. Five of the seven original bidders became eligible to receive licences in the 2 GHz frequency band.
Three weeks after the start of the auction, 52 licences were sold, with bids totaling $1.48 billion. The five winners were Rogers Wireless Inc., Bell Mobility Inc., TELUS Communications Inc., W2N Inc. and Thunder Bay Telephone.
Minister Tobin announced the launch of BusinessGateway.ca on February 12, 2001. This website is a key component of the Government of Canada's new service-delivery vision as it represents a comprehensive government website for Canadian business. BusinessGateway.ca was designed to provide easy access to relevant, frequently used services and information offered by the Government of Canada.
On June 27, 2001, Minister Tobin launched two more new Government of Canada on-line e-business services in collaboration with the private sector:
- ebiz.enable guides commercial organizations through the issues and options encountered in implementing e-business strategies; and
- SourceCAN has been developed as Canada's public and private sector e-marketplace, connecting Canadian businesses and their capabilities for the domestic and global e-marketplaces.
A fair, efficient and competitive marketplace is the cornerstone of a healthy and dynamic economy. Whether Canadians conduct business at home or abroad, on the Internet, face-to-face or through other media, Canada's marketplace must inspire confidence for both Canadians and foreign nationals.
In order to promote more competition and ensure a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace for both businesses and consumers, the Government of Canada modernized and streamlined the rules and regulations affecting Canadian businesses. By setting the rules of the marketplace, promoting vigorous competition and providing accurate, timely and state-of-the-art information to business and consumers, Canada benefits in terms of increased innovation, investment, consumer spending, job growth and productivity.
On May 24 and 25, 2001, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for consumer affairs met in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, — to discuss consumer protection in light of a rapidly changing and more complex marketplace. Minister Tobin co-chaired the meeting, during which the ministers resolved to set priorities for collaborative action, including:
- modernize and harmonize consumer legislation and policies;
- develop effective marketplace practices in cooperation with business and consumer groups; and
- provide reliable consumer information.
On October 12, 2001, Industry Canada, in partnership with provincial and territorial consumer ministers, announced the launch of the new and improved Canadian Consumer Information Gateway, bringing consumers access to clear and concise consumer information from more than 38 federal and 250 provincial and territorial departments and agencies. This powerful tool helped Canadians become better protected, more confident and more effective consumers.
Canada and Mexico Sign Cooperation Agreement on Competition Law Enforcement
On November 15, 2001, Konrad von Finckenstein, Commissioner of Canada's Competition Bureau, announced the signing of a cooperation agreement on competition law enforcement between the governments of Canada and Mexico.
The Canada–Mexico competition agreement is similar to the 1995 competition agreement between Canada and the United States, which set out a framework for notification, coordination and cooperation on enforcement activities, exchange of information and avoidance of conflict.
Enforcement Guidelines on the Abuse of Dominance Provisions
On August 1, 2001, the Competition Bureau released its Enforcement Guidelines on the Abuse of Dominance Provisions. The guidelines explain what constitutes abuse of dominance and outline the approach the Bureau takes when investigating abuse of dominance situations in its endeavours to ensure a fair and efficient marketplace and protect the marketplace against anti-competitive acts. Crucial legal information complements the document, including examples of Competition Tribunal decisions on cases of abuse of dominance.
Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices by Air Canada
On March 5, 2001, the Competition Bureau asked the Competition Tribunal (a specialized court that hears and decides applications made under the Civil provisions of the Competition Act) for an order prohibiting Air Canada from engaging in anti-competitive practices directed against low-cost carriers WestJet and CanJet. Under the abuse of dominance provisions of the Act, the Bureau was seeking an order that would prohibit Air Canada from operating flights on routes in eastern Canada. The Bureau believed that Air Canada's pricing and capacity management would prevent low-cost carriers such as WestJet and CanJet from continuing to operate routes in the eastern Canadian market.
Price-Fixing Fines
Competition Bureau investigations led to the following fines for price-fixing violations:
- Pfizer Inc.: October 24, 2001 — $1.5-million fine for its part in fixing prices for sodium erythorbate.
- Carbone Inc.: March 1, 2001 — $300 000 fine for fixing prices of isostatic graphite in semi-machined and non-machined form.
- Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd.: February 5, 2001 — $250 000 fine for aiding its competitors in fixing prices and dividing world markets for graphite electrodes.
- Ueno Fine Chemicals Industry Ltd.: July 30, 2001 — $1.25-million fine levied on the company, and a $150,000 fine for one of its former senior executives, for fixing the prices of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate, preservatives used in the food industry
Bid Rigging
On January 8, 2001, the Competition Bureau announced that the Federal Court of Canada had imposed a fine of $800 000 on the company Freyssinet Limitée for an international bid-rigging scheme relating to the Hibernia project in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Enbridge Cooperates with Competition Bureau
More than 1 million Ontario households benefited from a December 18, 2001, Competition Bureau filing with the Competition Tribunal in agreement with Enbridge Services Inc. The Consent Order encourages competition with Enbridge in the supply and service of natural gas hot water heaters where Enbridge had been the main supplier.
Multi-Level Marketing and Pyramid Selling
On June 4, 2001, the Competition Bureau launched Multi-level Marketing and the Competition Act, an animated multimedia tool designed to inform Canadian businesses and consumers about the multi-level marketing and pyramid selling provisions of the Competition Act.
Available in both ID-ROM and Web-based formats, the animated presentation depicts the story of a Canadian entrepreneur as she learns how to operate a legitimate multi-level marketing business that conforms with the law.
Chapters and Indigo Books
On April 5, 2001, the Competition Bureau announced that it had reached an agreement with Trilogy Enterprises Ltd., Chapters Inc. and Indigo Books & Music Inc. regarding Trilogy's acquisition of Chapters and the merger of Chapters and Indigo. Under the agreement, Trilogy was to offer for sale 13 superstores and 10 mall stores across Canada with retail book sales of approximately $54 million, a distribution centre, certain on-line assets, and up to three brand names (SmithBooks, Classic Books and Prospero). To ensure that publishers were not subject to anti-competitive practices, Trilogy agreed to abide by a Code of Conduct setting out fair terms of trade with publishers for a period of five years. Disputes were to be resolved by an arbitrator.
Quebecor and Vidéotron
On March 13, 2001, the Competition Bureau announced that, since Quebecor would be divesting itself of the TQS television network, it would not oppose the remainder of the transaction between Quebecor and Groupe Vidéotron.
On January 15, the Competition Tribunal issued an order requiring Quebecor to sell TQS if the CRTC approved Quebecor's acquisition of the TVA television network. Under the order, Quebecor was to sell its interests in TQS by December 31, 2001, otherwise, the sale would be made by a trustee.
Minister Tobin and Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps launched a process to modernize Canadian copyright legislation on June 22, 2001. As part of this renewal process, the federal government was to consider the issues, consult Canadians and propose legislative amendments, where necessary, in a step-by-step manner. This process allowed the government to better respond to the fast-changing technological and business environment.
New Patent Law Treaty
On May 22, 2001, Minister Tobin announced that Canada had signed a new Patent Law Treaty. The Patent Law Treaty is a World Intellectual Property Organization accord designed to simplify and harmonize administrative practices among national and regional intellectual property offices (IPOs). The Treaty aimed to encourage the use of intellectual property systems, stimulate innovation and facilitate access by Canadians to foreign IPOs.
Changes to the Patent Act
On July 12, 2001, Minister Tobin announced the coming into force of Bill S-17, An Act to Amend the Patent Act. Bill S-17 brings the Patent Act into conformity with Canada's obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
On September 18, 2000, the WTO ruled that Canada's term of protection for certain patents based on applications filed before October 1, 1989, was inconsistent with TRIPS. As of July 12, 2001, non-expired patents with terms of less than 20 years, counted from the date of filing in Canada, are automatically extended to the minimum 20-year standard as required by the TRIPS agreement.
Competition Act and Competition Tribunal Act
On April 4, 2001, Minister Tobin introduced Bill C-23 in the House of Commons, An Act to amend the Competition Act and the Competition Tribunal Act. Amendments to the Competition Act worked to build a more efficient and competitive marketplace to ensure that Canada keeps pace with a rapidly changing global economy. The changes aimed to help both Canadian consumers and businesses by:
- facilitating cooperation with foreign competition authorities regarding evidence gathering for civil competition matters;
- prohibiting deceptive notices of a prize aimed at the general public and sent through the mail and Internet;
- streamlining the Competition Tribunal processes by providing the Tribunal with the power to award costs, make summary dispositions and hear and determine references; and
- broadening the scope under which the Competition Tribunal may issue temporary orders.
Government Modifies Copyright Legislation
On June 22, 2001, Minister Tobin and Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, launched a process of consultation and reform designed to further modernize Canadian copyright legislation.
The publication of A Framework for Copyright Reform marked the beginning of an ongoing process. This document outlines the context and process for reform and sets out the Government of Canada's intention to consider copyright reform proposals, consult Canadians and develop legislative amendments on a step-by-step basis.
Government Amends Retransmission Rules
On December 12, 2001, Minister Tobin and Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, proposed amendments to section 31 of the Copyright Act. A bill to that effect was tabled in the House of Commons by Minister Copps.
The bill clarified that existing distribution systems, such as cable and satellite, may continue to rebroadcast over-the-air radio and television signals by paying royalties set by the Copyright Board and respecting other conditions set out in the Copyright Act. The bill also established a new regulation-making power that allowed new types of distribution systems, including the Internet, to be used to retransmit broadcast signals if they met appropriate conditions set out in the regulations.
The Government of Canada has spent years increasing its funding for research and development in order to attract more foreign investment to Canada. Investment and capital formation are essential for the stimulation of economic growth, innovation and sustainable development. The government has also been working actively to ensure that Canadians get the skills they need to compete in the global economy and has been marketing Canada around the world as an attractive destination for investment. Canada's excellent economic fundamentals, easy access to markets, educated and skilled labour force, cost-competitive business environment and high standard of living continue to make it one of the best places in the world to invest and do business.
Minister Tobin tabled the report Supporting Small Business Innovation: Review of the Business Development Bank of Canada in the House of Commons on June 20, 2001. This five-year review confirmed that there is a continued public policy role for the Business Development Bank of Canada in delivering financial and consulting services to small and medium-sized enterprises in a manner that is complementary to those services provided by commercial institutions.
On August 25, 2001, Minister Tobin and Joseph L. Handley, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development for the Northwest Territories, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Canada–Northwest Territories Cooperation on International Business Development.
This agreement renews an MOU signed in 1996 that resulted in the delivery of new international business services to businesses in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) as well as reducing duplication of services. The renewed agreement broadens and deepens the commitment of the Government of Canada and territorial partners to collaborating on assistance for the N.W.T.'s private sector to become more competitive and enter world markets successfully. The N.W.T. Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Industry Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade participated in the MOU.
On October 20, 2000, Minister Tobin announced an industry-wide National Shipbuilding and Marine Industries Partnership Project. The project sought solutions to guide industry and government officials in improving the competitiveness of Canada's marine industries.
Following up on this, the Minister unveiled the Government of Canada's new Policy Framework on Shipbuilding and Industrial Marine Industries on June 19, 2001. This policy framework comprises more than 20 measures, including:
- creating a new structured financing facility to provide competitive financing in the form of loan insurance and interest buydowns to both foreign and domestic buyers of Canadian-built vessels;
- continuing competitive export financing through the Export Development Corporation;
- establishing of a new Energy and Marine Organization in Industry Canada;
- focussing on securing greater Canadian industrial benefits from the development of offshore oil and gas;
- establishing an industry advisory committee to assist in implementing the new framework;
- supporting research and development under the Technology Partnerships Canada program;
- recognizing the value of shipbuilders and marine transportation as important parts of Canada's industrial infrastructure, with environmental as well as economic benefits; and
- supporting exports within Team Canada Inc.
These combined measures supported new business of between $200 and $300 million, double current production. The policy framework also called for the policy to be reviewed after five years.
The Aboriginal Business Canada (ABC) program was put in place to promote the growth of Aboriginal businesses by providing services, information and support to clients in all sectors of the economy. ABC was, and is, guided by several strategic priorities; for example, Youth Entrepreneurship Development, Innovation, Trade and Market Expansion (including Aboriginal Tourism) and Strengthening Aboriginal Financial and Business Organizations. Services and assistance are available to Canadian Status and Non-Status Indians, on- or off-reserve, Inuit and Métis people. Industry Canada's assistance forms part of an overall financing package that also includes client investment and debt financing.
In 2001, ABC invested in several companies:
- June 20, 2001 — $31 022 in Adlavik Inn of Makkovik, Labrador
- August 3, 2001 — $72 000 in O2 Canada Water Inc. of Edmonton, Alberta
- August 3, 2001 — $75 000 in Ultrex Podiatric Laboratories of Samson First Nation, Alberta
- November 15, 2001 — $58 950 in Harwood Custom Composites of Victoria, British Columbia
- November 16, 2001— $75 000 in Cloud Transport of Kamloops, British Columbia
- December 17, 2001— $16 025 in the Natural Wellness Clinic of Regina, Saskatchewan
- December 17, 2001 — $28 375 in Cree-Way Gas Ltd. of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC), a technology investment fund, was founded for the purpose of contributing to the achievement of several of Canada's objectives: increasing economic growth, creating jobs and wealth, and supporting sustainable development in many areas of technology. TPC continues to support Government of Canada initiatives by investing strategically in research, development and innovation. By encouraging private sector investment, TPC not only spurs growth in the technology base and technological capabilities of Canadian industry, but also encourages the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in all regions of Canada.
In 2001, TPC invested in the following Canadian companies:
- March 7, 2001 — $9.9-million repayable TPC investment with Sierra Wireless Inc. of Richmond, British Columbia
- April 17, 2001 — $3.9-million repayable TPC investment in Vortek Industries Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia
- May 7, 2001 — $4.9-million repayable TPC investment with Guigné Inc. of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
- May 7, 2001 — $3.9-million repayable TPC investment with MD Robotics of Brampton, Ontario
- May 11, 2001 — $30-million repayable TPC investment in iFire Technology Inc. of Toronto, Ontario
- May 23, 2001 — $2.5-million TPC investment with COM DEV Ltd. of Cambridge, Ontario
- May 24, 2001 — $2.9-million TPC investment with Indal Technologies Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario
- May 25, 2001 — $3-million TPC investment in Haley Industries Limited of Haley, Ontario
- June 1, 2001 — $9.4-million repayable TPC investment in Norsat International Inc. of Burnaby, British Columbia
- June 4, 2001 — $5.9-million repayable TPC investment with Intellivax International Inc. of Saint-Laurent, Quebec
- June 4, 2001 — $7.5-million repayable TPC investment with Northstar Energy Corporation of Calgary, Alberta
- June 4, 2001 — $8.7-million TPC investment with SNC-Lavalin Energy Control Systems Inc. of Saint-Laurent, Quebec
- June 20, 2001 — $3-million repayable TPC investment with Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc. of Waterloo, Ontario
- July 24, 2001 — two repayable TPC investments totalling $17.2 million with Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. of Belleville, Ontario
- November 2, 2001 — $9.98-million repayable TPC investment with World Heart Corporation of Ottawa, Ontario
- November 13, 2001 — $5.5 million repayable TPC investment with SemBioSys Genetics Inc. of Calgary, Alberta
- November 16, 2001 — $3.2-million repayable TPC investment with CaseBank Technologies Inc. of Brampton, Ontario
- November 19, 2001 — $24.9-million repayable TPC investment with Messier-Dowty Inc. of Ajax, Ontario
- December 14, 2001 — $3.3-million repayable TPC investment with Trojan Technologies Inc. of London, Ontario
- December 17, 2001 – $4.4-million repayable TPC investment in Wavemakers Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia
On November 26, 2001, the Government of Canada invested $6.5 million in GFI Control Systems Inc. of Kitchener, Ontario, to help develop advanced propane and natural gas control systems for gasoline and diesel engines. The majority of the Government of Canada funding for this project came from Industry Canada's Technology Partnerships Canada. The Government of Canada's Climate Change Action Fund's Technology Early Action Measures component contributed $1.1 million.
No other major economy is as trade-oriented as Canada. This country remains committed to increasing its international opportunities for trade by helping more businesses become export-ready, improving access to information on trade and foreign markets, providing easy access to programs, services and regulatory information, and participating in international trade missions.
On April 2, 2001, IC launched two programs designed to help small and medium-sized Canadian aerospace and defence firms better meet the challenges of the global economy. Both of the Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) programs are three-year pilot projects: The TPC Aerospace and Defence Supplier Development Initiative was aimed at aiding aerospace and defence SMEs with a budget of $30 million over three years. The Canadian Aerospace Collaborative Technology Development Program was a $9-million, three-year initiative designed to encourage early stage research and development collaboration.
In response to “Brazil's failure to conform to WTO (World Trade Organization) rules,” Minister Tobin, along with Minister of International Trade Pierre Pettigrew, announced on January 10, 2001, that the Government of Canada was taking action to preserve Canadian jobs by matching the financing terms Brazil uses to support the sale of its Embraer aircraft. This announcement came after Canada requested and was granted authority from the WTO to retaliate economically against Brazil in December 2000. In August 2000, the WTO had ruled that Canada could apply up to $344 million per year in economic countermeasures against Brazil for its illegal subsidies.
|