While Canada's regions are unique and diverse, defined by different
cultures and geographies, there are some striking commonalities. Across the
entire country, regardless of the region, the standard of living is high,
education and health care are excellent and crime is low. And doting this
landscape are Canada's numerous publicly funded universities and
colleges providing high-quality education and performing innovative R&D.
Tying all of this together are Canada's telecommunications systems,
linking remote regions and integrating these into the North American and
global telecom grids. Canadian Internet connection costs are among the
lowest in the world and Canadians are tops when it comes to the share of its
population that uses the Internet.
This means it is possible to carry out quality ICT R&D from any number
of points across Canada. Research consortia and virtual Centres of
Excellence have been widely established to encourage cross-country R&D
collaboration. By setting up a single R&D lab, an investor can access
this sophisticated 6,000-km network, to become part of a much larger virtual
research cluster.
The major nodes in these virtual clusters tend to be built around
universities, national and regional science institutes and industrial
concentrations. The larger the local university and science complex, the
larger the R&D nodes tend to be.
While Canada's leading edge R&D in optoelectronics is carried out
across the country, the principal node is Ottawa, home to the global R&D
headquarters for Nortel Networks and JDS Uniphase and to the Canadian
R&D initiatives of Alcatel, Cisco and dozens of other smaller, specialised
companies. Ottawa anchors an optoelectronic R&D corridor that extends to
the east through Montreal and Quebec City.
Canada's largest city, Toronto, has a major ICT R&D community built
around the country's largest university complex, anchored by the
University of Toronto, which is engaged in all facets of ICT R&D, and
the nearby University of Waterloo, with its international reputation.
Numerous multinational ICT companies have their Canadian headquarters in
Toronto and this has helped spawn a wide range of diverse R&D, with an
emphasis on data management, multimedia software, graphics chip design,
programming languages, document management and electronic commerce.
Montreal has Canada's second largest university complex featuring
McGill, École Polytechnique, University of Montreal and Concordia. Like
Toronto, it has a wide variety of ICT R&D underway in optoelectronics,
wireless technology, specialised chip design and multimedia software
R&D. Montreal's bilingual nature has made it particularly attractive
to European R&D investors.
Calgary is home to a rapidly growing wireless R&D cluster, centred on
Nortel's wireless labs and the University of Calgary. Calgary is also
noted for R&D in geomatics.
Vancouver, Canada's third largest city, reflects much of the ICT R&D
diversity of Toronto and Montreal: new media, data management,
specialised semiconductor design and wireless technology. Located in the
same time zone as California, Vancouver has seen a migration of Silicon
Valley R&D northwards to take advantage of its more cost-effective and
stable workforce.
Regional cities with large universities, such as Edmonton, Saskatoon,
Winnipeg, Waterloo, Quebec City, Halifax and St. John, all have ICT R&D
activities that are centred around their universities. They aptly build on
natural and regional advantages, all of which are leveraged through their
connection to cross-Canada R&D networks.
This unique Canadian R&D connectivity allows investors to employ
different management models. A large multinational, like Nortel, can focus
management of optoelectronics R&D in Ottawa, with extensions to
Montreal, while concentrating its main wireless R&D effort in Calgary. By
contrast, a small enterprise in St. John, New Brunswick, or Saskatoon can
carry out world-class R&D, drawing on Centres of Excellence across
Canada, while locating its sales force in prime US markets.
R&D requires both creative people and creative approaches. The options
for clustering, splitting off, regrouping, for forging innovative R&D
alliances and for reinventing the R&D process itself, are all present in
the Canadian ICT R&D community.
The federal and provincial underpinnings of this leading edge R&D
network extend across the country. Information on provincial initiatives can be
obtained from researching the provincial and territorial segments of the
Invest in Canada web site at http://www.investincanada.gc.ca/.
The following is a list of federal R&D initiatives, organisations and
programs. Details are highlighted on the following pages.
The NRC is the nation's leading research organisation, focusing on
R&D in information & telecommunications and other selected technologies
and sectors. The goal of the National Research Council of Canada is to help
create an innovative, knowledge-based economy that will keep Canada at the
international forefront.
Created in 1916 as an advisory body to government, the National Research
Council http://www.nrc.ca/ had, by the Second World War, established its own
network of laboratories to assist the war effort. In the 1950s and 1960s the
NRC moved into applied science and engineering. From the mid-1980s
onward, NRC placed increasing emphasis on partnerships and strategic
technological advancement.
Over the years NRC has helped spawn numerous world class organisations
including the National Research Library, the Medical Research Council, the
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Atomic Energy Canada Ltd.
and the Canadian Space Agency.
With a work force of 3,000 plus, the NRC runs a series of 22 research
institutes and technology centres, located from coast to coast. They have
national mandates but are integrated regionally with local university and
industrial partners.
The NRC operates an Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) supporting
innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with coaching and
funding assistance. It also operates an Industry Partnership Facility on its
main Ottawa campus, to help incubate SMEs. As well, its Canadian
Technology Network can provide SMEs with access to a wide range of
technology and related business assistance through a cross-country network of
advisors.
Under the umbrella of its Information and Communications Technologies Group,
the NRC runs two major national institutes that contribute to
Canada's leadership role in Information and Communications Technology:
The Institute for Information Technology and the Institute for
Microstructural Sciences. The Group's core competencies are in the
following areas:
The Institute, http://iit-iti.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca through collaborative R&D assists small
and start-up
firms as well as large firms such as Litton and Nortel confront challenges
in areas such as interactive information access, multimedia, information
organisation, optical communications, wireless communications and personal
communications systems.
Most research projects are carried out in collaboration with external
partners. Although the prime collaborators come from industry, the Institutes
also have very close relationships with universities, particularly through
visiting graduate students or by making the specialised facilities
accessible to university professors. The NRC also acts as a co-ordinator for
programs of national scope involving both universities and industry.
Currently, the IIT is involved in the following 5 research areas:
Interactive Information Group: The R&D focus of this
group is to perform research into new models of communication of
information, algorithms and software for text analysis and retrieval, and
tools to facilitate the acquisition and distribution of knowledge. The new
technologies being employed by NRC include document summarisation, document
clustering, bibliometric web search and smart documents. Some recent
innovations emerging from the Interactive Information Group include:
Clustifier: software to organize collections of
documents into groups having similar topics. Licensed to Fulcrum Technologies,
now
part of Hummingbird Communications of Toronto.
Extractor: software that summarises text content to help
users locate relevant information. Licensed to Tetranet Inc.
Bird: a new type of Internet search engine for searching
by topic, built on algorithms adapted from bibliometrics.
VoiceGrip: a programming-by-voice environment, to allow
programmers to dictate, search and navigate source code.
Acorn: Agent-Based Community-Oriented Retrieval Network
software, is an architecture for the sharing, search and provision of
information across networks by its relevance to different audiences.
Spoke'n'Image: interactive system for creating
and manipulating virtual environments, using commands in natural language.
Integrated Reasoning Group: This NRC group focuses on
automating and improving various aspects of the corporate decision-making
process through research, development, and application of artificial
intelligence (AI) technologies. Formed in 1995, it is one of five laboratories
that make up the Institute for Information Technology in Ottawa, Canada.
Recent research initiatives have been directed in these areas:
Integrated Diagnostic Systems (IDS): Advanced
software-based diagnostic techniques to maintain complex equipment. Initial
partners
are Air Canada and General Electric.
Paper Makers Advisor (PMA): A monitoring and diagnostic
system for use in paper mills initially focussing on energy wastage.
Intelligent Supervisory Systems (ISS): Machine learning
to identify errors in the operation of computer equipment and facilities.
Generic Diagnostic Expert Environment (GENDEE): An
expert system shell for diagnostic applications.
Aerospace Data Miner (ADAM): Automated learning and
knowledge discovery from large databases, specifically in the aerospace arena.
Integrated Network Management (INM): focuses improving
the performance of communications network management software. Tools to
enable automated isolation, diagnosis and repair of network problems are
being developed.
Fuzzy CLIPS: An extension of the CLIPS expert system
shell from NASA, to incorporate fuzzy reasoning capability.
FuzzyJ Toolkit: A toolkit for building fuzzy logic
systems.
Network Computing Group - This NRC group focuses its
research on the study of highly connected computing and communications systems.
The goal is to make these systems more flexible, secure and easier to manage
and use. R&D is carried out in four main areas: personal
communication, software agents, security, and active networking.
Representative projects include:
Intelligent Messaging with Personal Agents: An
agent-based seamless messaging system that optimises user preferences, user
location and devices location and network interfaces.
Mobile Agents for Advanced Communication Services:
R&D on the deployment of personal services, through the use of mobile and
static agent technology for a heterogeneous communications environment.
Federated Messaging: An architecture that exploits an
agent-based paradigm to benefit from the autonomy and reasoning,
encapsulated inside the agents.
Network Security: Network security research, focused on
secure agent deployment and e-commerce related security.
Agents in Active Networks: Mechanisms to improve levels
of Quality of Service for multimedia applications, by building a framework
for an Active Network architecture, employing mobile agents.
Software Engineering Group - The goal of the SEG Group is
to advance the state of software production through the application of
engineering practices. The Group focuses on software quality and empirical
approaches to the study of Software Engineering. These efforts support
software development processes from project initiation to first delivery,
product evolution and maintenance. The group conducts research in three
broad areas: large-scale systems, commercial off-the-shelf software, and
real-time and embedded systems. Its new software lab focuses on performing
research and providing services to industry in the areas of software
testing, inspections, and metrics. Recent areas of SEG research include:
Automated Detection of Code Duplication: techniques to
scan multiple code bases to identify duplicated code
Software Reuse: facilitation of prototyping and
streamlining quality assurance
Configuration Management: cross-platform portability and
internationalisation, including adaptation to language and cultural
expectations
Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Software: integration of
COTS components to build systems
Real-Time and Embedded Systems: creating advanced
applications using cost-effective multiprocessors in concurrent processing
Formal Methods in Software Engineering:
mathematically-based techniques for specifying, validating and synthesising
distributed
systems
Software Architecture: formalisation and automation of
software design to encourage design reuse and facilitate rapid prototyping
of real-time, distributed systems
Human Computer Interaction: collaboration and learning
in a large maintenance organisation.
Visual Information Technology Group - This NRC group
emphasises R&D in the development of 3D digitising and modelling technologies,
particularly in the fields of: industrial automation, inspection, space
robotics, and medicine. The main objective of the group is the integration
of technologies for the development of 3D digitising systems - essentially
the monitoring of precise dimensional (geometry) and photometric (colour)
information, over time, and its visualisation. Research is carried out in
four main areas:
Sensing: This project is developing 3D digitizer
technology, with an emphasis on compact, low-cost and portable units. This
includes integrating camera hardware with a user-friendly interface for
ease of operation in the field.
Processing: Content-based management of multimedia
databases is a particular area of concentration. This includes describing human
bodies, according to shape, anthropometric and demographic data. It also
includes calibration and the ability to automatically cluster 3D
co-ordinates under common geometric labels, such as planar, spherical,
cylindrical and other surface representations. The 3D scene modelling of
environments and reflectance modelling are also part of this initiative.
Rapid Prototyping: Prototyping approaches being
researched include: CAD-based reproduction, direct copying to accelerate
manufacturing processes, creation of geometric models, face recognition,
inspection processes
Visualisation: Research is conducted to enhance computer
graphics, through digitised 3D processes. Workstation simulation of human
stereoscopic vision and the creation of virtual human-machine
interactions are also subjects of research.
The Institute http://www.sao.nrc.ca/ims develops the strategic base for the enabling
technologies related to
future hardware requirements for information processing, transmission,
acquisition and display. It accomplishes this through the application of novel
materials and components. The principal research groups with the Institute
are the Acoustics Group, Device Physics Group, Epitaxy Group,
Microfabrication Group, Optoelectronic Devices Group, Organic Materials and
Devices Group, Quantum Physics Group, Quantum Theory Group, Surfaces &
Interfaces Group, and the Thin Films Group.
The core research competencies of the Institute include: optoelectronics
devices and integration, semiconductor materials and processing, nanodevices,
thin film technology, and acoustics. Key research programs are in the
following areas:
Optical Communications: This program carries out research
into the novel use of optoelectronic devices in order to create the next
generation of communications hardware, using fibre optics. Particular areas
of research include:
Dielectric WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing)
Photonics: The objective of this project is to design components in
silicon-based dielectric materials, develop the necessary fabrication
processes and produce proof-of-concept devices that can be evaluated.
Digital Optical Switching: The objective of this project
is to design and fabricate such components in the III-V material system.
QW Infrared Devices: The project is based on the
absorption of infra-red radiation by intra-band transitions in Quantum Wells.
The
goals of the project are to demonstrate a prototype device based on a
patented detector-emitter combination and to search for practical
applications (e.g. Search and Rescue), to explore new device designs, and
to investigate new phenomena in the THz spectrum region.
Wireless Communications: The exploitation of advanced
materials for the next generation wireless components is the emphasis of this
program. Major topics of research include:
Advanced Dielectrics: The project involves three main
areas of Research, namely High-k Dielectrics, Insulators for Compound
Semiconductors and Time-resolved Imaging of CMOS Circuits.
Gallium Nitride Electronics: This project will continue
to focus on the fabrication of high performance MODFETs using submicron
lithography.
RF MEMS Switch: The objective of this project is to
develop a MEMS switch for RF applications. The project will concentrate this
year on the investigation of the use of silicon nitride as a structural
material.
InGaNAs: The goal of the project is to establish
expertise in the growth, properties and applications of the semiconductor
material system - InGaNAs.
Multimedia Components: This program studies the base
technologies used in the development of audio and display components. Main areas
of research include:
Thin Films for Optical Components: This project
co-ordinates the research into the exploration of optical thin film filters,
applications, materials, deposition approaches as well as modelling and
simulation. Areas of applications include displays, anti-counterfeiting,
scientific instrumentation and
Telecom Acoustics: This project addresses the needs of
the telecommunications industry by investigating the acoustical factors
affecting the performance of telephone sets and other types of voice
terminals. The project consists of three sub-projects: 1) acoustics for
wireless communication, 2) transducer arrays for handsfree telephony, and
3) reducing hearing aid feedback for telephone users.
Organics: This area focuses on organic materials and
their applications in the field of photonics and electronics with an approach
that ranges from the fundamental understanding of the relations between
structure and performance in light emitting and conductive materials to
technological issues of display fabrication and encapsulation.
Exploratory Research: This program promotes links to the
international science community and has achieved Cupertino with a variety of
widely dispersed universities and industrial partners. Some key areas of
collaborative research are:
Quantum Information: The objective of this project is to
explore the application of semiconductor nano-devices for processing of
quantum, instead of classical.
Nanofabrication & Devices: The objective of the
semiconductor nano-devices project is to develop the techniques to fabricate
semiconductor nanostructures, characterise their properties and explore
their possible application in electronic and optical nano-devices.
Carbon Nanotubes: Our goals in this first half-year of
the project, therefore, will be to control the epitaxial growth of
nanotubes, to develop and extend in-house characterisation capabilities,
and to develop practical plans for nanotube-based device fabrication.
Special Applications: for the exploitation of NRC-developed
technology on specific technical problems. Areas of research include:
Anti-counterfeiting: development of counterfeit
protected CD technology, using thin film logos
Diode Pumped Solid State Lasers: application of solid
state lasers to produce higher efficiency, rehability and compactness in
industry, medicine, remote sensing and defence, including development of
the "Microbeam" laser for micro-machining.
Based in Ottawa, this government centre of excellence for communications
R&D provides leadership in collaborative R&D on innovative
communication, broadcast and information technologies. Particular areas of
interest are: terrestrial wireless systems, broadband network technologies,
radio science, and satellite communication. The CRC http://www.crc.ca/ partners with government
agencies including:
the Department of Defence and the Canadian Space Agency, as well as with
industrial partners such as Alcatel and Nortel. Internationally, the CRC
takes a leadership role in standards development. Domestically, it is
heavily involved in establishing "smart" communities including
telehealth and telelearning applications.
The CRC also conducts R&D in the areas of: 3D television, high power
microwave, novel antenna technologies, wireless Internet, digital TV and
radio, wave division multiplexing, and radiowave propagation.
Research & Development
Since its beginnings in the 1940s, the CRC has maintained its management of
technical issues concerning the radio spectrum, the deployment of
wireless communications and broadcast services, and the development of new
technologies and knowledge for exploitation by Canadian industry. As the
federal government's main research centre for communications technology,
its activities focus on the following areas:
Satellite Communicationshttp://www.crc.ca/en/html/crc/home/research/satcom/satcom CRC is the
Canadian
government's leading centre of expertise in satellite
communications. It performs leading?edge R&D to help determine the
evolution of
future satellite communications (satcom) networks and aids industry
development through technology transfer. CRC carries out research and
development on military satellite communications under tasking from
National Defence. On behalf of the Canadian Space Agency, CRC manages the
implementation of the major portion of the satellite communications
component of the Canadian Space Plan. CRC also collaborates with satellite
service providers and users by developing and demonstrating
applications such as telemedicine and tele-education.
Radio Sciencehttp://www.crc.ca/en/html/crc/home/research/radio/radio CRC's radio
science
program focuses on the study and quantification of the physical limits
to the reliability, quality and performance of radio systems. R&D is
conducted into propagation effects, radio noise and interference,
electromagnetic (EM) compatibility, and antenna technology. CRC is the only
research establishment in Canada that has a comprehensive program of
interrelated activities in these areas.
This program involves extensive interaction with Canadian industry and
academia, as well as other national and international organisations.
Research results contribute to the scientific and technical
information and advice required by government and the radiocommunication
industry to
plan, develop and implement radio systems and services. In addition,
position papers and other submissions based on research work strongly
influence spectrum allocation decisions made internationally by the
International Telecommunications Union B Radiocommunication Section (ITU?R).
Broadband Network Technologieshttp://www.crc.ca/en/html/crc/home/research/network/network The mission
of the
Broadband Network Technologies Research Branch is to address key
issues such as: interoperability between wireline and wireless services;
network standards and security; and the convergence of communications,
broadcast and computer technologies. A strong and complementary research
program in optoelectronics and photonics develops enabling
technologies to increase network capacity and versatility. Close working
relationships with the other branches and the various CRC testbeds
provide national and international connectivity and the opportunity to
conduct meaningful demonstrations of future network technologies.
The Branch's research program is divided into two main areas:
Network Systems and Applications; and Optoelectronics and Photonics. Two major
CRC facilities are also part of this branch: Broadband Applications
and Demonstration Laboratory (BADLAB) and the Microelectronics Facility; and
is responsible for the VirtualClassroom Program.
Terrestrial Wireless Systemshttp://www.crc.ca/en/html/crc/home/research/wireless/wireless CRC's
terrestrial wireless R&D program advances understanding of and
develops concepts and technologies for fixed, mobile and personal wireless
communications systems. Clients of this program include National
Defence, Industry Canada, wireless service providers and Canadian
manufacturers. This program covers a wide range of expertise including
communications signal design, new system concepts, high speed
microelectronics, voice processing and adaptive antennas.
The Wireless and Inter-Networking Systems Experimentation Laboratory
(WISELAB) supports advanced development and evaluation of terrestrial
wireless technologies for industries, governments and universities and
can assist in the orderly deployment of new wireless systems. The CRC
terrestrial wireless testbed can support various developmental
activities and offers its clients a large array of resources, expertise, support
equipment and collaboration opportunities with CRC's research
groups in many communications technologies.
Broadcast Technologyhttp://www.crc.ca/en/html/crc/home/research/broadcast/broadcast Broadcast
technology R&D encompasses advanced video and digital television
(DTV), digital radio broadcasting (DRB) and datacasting services to be
carried over terrestrial off?air channels, satellite, cable,
multipoint distribution system (MDS) and local multipoint communications systems
(LMCS). The services using off-air and some satellite channels are
intended for vehicle, portable and fixed reception. Those using satellite,
cable, MDS and LMCS are aimed at fixed reception. Compatibility and
operability between the various delivery systems and their integration with
broadband communications is an important objective of the research.
The Canadian government supports 22 Networks of Centres of Excellence (http://www.nce.gc.ca/about_e.htm) .
These Canada-wide networks are unique partnerships among industry,
universities and government
http://www.nce.gc.ca/en/pubs/99-2000/partners_e.htm.
In 2000, participation in the networks included 563 companies, 98
universities, 138 provincial and federal government departments and agencies, 46
hospitals and 266 other organisations. The following eight centres cover
various aspects of research in Information and Communications Technology:
Canadian Institute for Photonic Innovations (CIPI) - The
goal of this Institute is to place Canada at the forefront of photonics
research in the 21st century. Photonics embraces: optics, quantum optics,
lasers, optoelectronics imaging, optical processing of information, material
sciences and their applications. The program includes 62 university
researchers and 18 industry-affiliated and government researchers, plus 312
graduate students and other highly qualified personnel, in 8 provinces. A
total of 22 universities, 38 industrial partners and 16 government
departments and agencies comprise the network, which is administered from
Laval University in Quebec City. http://www.cipi.ulaval.ca/
Canadian Institute for Telecommunications Research (CITR) -
The Institute's research program concentrates on the design and
operation of future-oriented telecommunications infrastructure, capable of
providing business and residential subscribers with an array of voice,
data, image and multimedia services, ranging from transaction processing and
information distribution, to entertainment-on-demand. The program
embraces 49 university researchers, 8 affiliated industry and government
researchers, as well as 221 graduates students and other highly qualified
personnel in 6 provinces. The network includes 18 universities, 18
industrial partners and 2 governmental departments and agencies. The
administrative
centre is located at McGill University in Montreal. http://www.citr.ece.mcgill.ca/
Micronet (Microelectronic Devices, Circuits and Systems) -
Micronet helps to mobilise research in all aspects of the Canadian
microelectronics and information technology industries. The program
incorporates 72 university researchers and 328 graduate students and other
highly
qualified personnel in 6 provinces. Participants include 18 universities, 42
industrial partners and 3 government departments and agencies. The
network is administered from the University of Toronto. http://www.micronetrd.ca/
Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems -
This institute's purpose is to help model physical, biological and
economic systems to permit effective production, design and control.
Advanced mathematical theory is used to design new drug therapies, to conceive
new telecommunications networks, to understand complex materials, to value
financial instruments. Over 50 university researchers, supported by 379
graduate students and other qualified personnel, carry out research in seven
provinces. The network includes 28 universities, 62 industrial partners
and 27 government departments and agencies. The administrative centre is
located at Simon Fraser University. http://www.mitacs.math.ca/
TeleLearning Network of Centres of Excellence - The mission
of the TeleLearning Network is: to research, develop and demonstrate
effective knowledge-building pedagogies, implemented through telelearning,
to support the development of a knowledge-based economy and a learning
society, and to transfer these capabilities to organisations for world-wide
exploitation. University researchers number 47, joined by 384 graduate
students and other qualified personnel, doing research in 8 provinces, as
well as in several foreign jurisdictions. Participating institutions include
41 universities, 29 industrial partners and 103 government departments and
agencies. The network is managed from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.
http://www.telelearn.ca/
Geomatics for Informed Decisions (GEOIDE) - The GEOIDE
Network links all sectors of the world-leading Canadian Geomatics industry.
Research includes advanced sensing and mapping capabilities, geopositioning
and related telecommunication and intelligent embedded systems. A core of
126 university researchers and 142 affiliated industrial and government
researchers are supported, in eight provinces, by 176 graduate students and
other qualified personnel. GOEIDE incorporates 29 universities, 33
industrial partners and 28 government departments and agencies, administered
from
Laval University in Quebec City. http://www.geoide.ulaval.ca/
Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) - The
IRIS network concentrates on research related to the essential elements
of intelligent systems - the ability to perceive, reason and act. The
network develops intelligent tools for four areas: natural resources,
healthcare, manufacturing and information technology. Eighty-four university
researchers in eight provinces are joined by 12 affiliated industrial and
government researchers and supported by 255 graduate students and other
qualified personnel. IRIS incorporates 22 universities, 63 industrial partners
and 18 government departments and agencies. The network is administered by
PRECARN Associates, a non-profit organisation that is based in Ottawa. http://www.precarn.ca/
Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures (ISIS) - The
ISIS Network was established in 1995 to research and develop innovative
uses of fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) in concrete structures that are
prone to deterioration because of corroding steel reinforcements. As a means
of documenting the behaviour of FRP, ISIS Canada also researches and
develops structurally-integrated fibre optic sensing (FOS) systems that allow
engineers to monitor structures from remote locations. Thirty-five
university researchers and 34 affiliated industry and government researchers are
supported by 189 graduate students and other qualified personnel in eight
provinces. Fifteen universities, 56 industrial partners and 25 government
departments and agencies are included in the ISIS network. http://www.isiscanada.com/
The Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research, Industry and Education
(CANARIE) is Canada's advanced Internet development organisation http://www.canarie.ca/. This
not-for-profit organisation receives core funding from the Canadian government.
Additional funding comes from several Canadian provinces and from private
sector participation.
Incorporated in 1993 to help Canada lead in the Internet era, CANARIE has
established the world's longest and fastest R&D network and a
pioneering optically switched network. CANARIE funds a wide variety of
telelearning, telehealth and e-commerce projects.
More than 120 universities and industrial partners are members of CANARIE
including: Alcatel, AT&T, Ericsson, Ernst & Young, Hewlett-Packard,
IBM, Motorola, Nortel Networks, Oracle, Silicon Graphics and Sony.
In total, CANARIE has helped fund more than $600-million in research
projects related to the next generation Internet. It has helped generate
matching
R&D funding from the provinces of Alberta ($100-million), Quebec
($150-million) and Ontario ($125-million).
CA*net3 - CANARIE's National Optical Network - CA*net 3
is recognised as a groundbreaking network R&D initiative. It is the
centrepiece of CANARIE's activities. Built from the ground up, this
fibre optic Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexed (DWDM) network delivers up
to 40-gigabit per channel capability. DWDM technology is used to transmit
multiple channels on a single fibre. The network is deployed and operated by
Bell Canada, with participation by Alcatel (through its acquisition of
Newbridge Networks), Cisco, JDS Uniphase and Nortel Networks. CA*net 3 is built
for the Internet first, voice second. It puts the Internet directly over
light, allowing it to operate at much faster speeds than comparable networks.
Projects to deliver gibabit Internet to the school and home are underway.
Advanced Applications Development Project (AADP)
With CA*net 3 in place, CANARIE Inc. recognised that it was necessary to
accelerate the development and use of applications that use the capabilities
of advanced Internet networks by Canadian businesses and organisations in
the public sector. In 1998, CANARIE, with the support of Industry Canada,
launched the Advanced Applications Development Project (AADP) to act as a
catalyst in development and diffusion of advanced applications in areas such
as electronic commerce, electronic learning and emerging sectors such as
intelligent systems and telehealth. The AADP is project based program to
facilitate partnerships among applicants and foster collaborative exchanges
among project participants, particularly within each theme area.
Project Themes include:
E-Commerce Sector: development, demonstration, promotion and diffusion of
advanced electronic commerce-oriented applications, services and
framework policies that will allow Canadian industry to develop a strong
competitive position in electronic business, assisted by advanced
networks.
Learning Sector: development, demonstration, promotion and deployment of
practical, network-delivered learning applications that use the highest
practical bandwidth available.
Emerging Sectors: act as a catalyst in the undertaking of R&D
sub-projects to create innovative applications in these emerging sectors:
Intelligent Systems and network-based Telehealth.
Applications on CA*net 3
CANARIE funds innovative R&D and new advanced applications which exploit
the CA*net 3 capability. Some of the research projects include:
An e-business virtual cluster R&D program focusing on collaborative
research projects, or virtual clusters, involving geographically dispersed
organisations that partner for specific e-business projects. Projects
have been funded for e-business security and for virtual business networks.
A virtual veterinary medicine learning network, links widely dispersed
institutions, by sharing video rich, multimedia education modules.
A low power, portable child location device, uses GPS satellite
technology to report a child's whereabouts over the Internet.
The application of Remote Community Services Telecentre (RCST)
technology, links isolated communities with ambulance services, hospitals,
mental
health facilities, courts and bail programs.
Online international product exchanges, industry-specific supply chain
applications, online tax payment and community program registration and
online copyright protection services have been developed.
The CANARIE Learning Program supports broadband applications that promote
learning at all levels, including repositories of object-oriented
learning software and innovations in multimedia learning.
Precarn Incorporated http://www.precarn.ca/ is a national consortium of corporations, research
institutes, and
government partners, that supports innovation in intelligent systems in
Canada.
With an outstanding record in assembling collaborative research teams,
Precarn has a direct link with a network of the nation's best academic
researchers in their field of endeavour, and the 100+ highly qualified
students they train each year.
R&D undertaken by Precarn members is eligible for funding of up to 40%
of the developmental research costs. Funding is provided by federal and
provincial agencies and private industry. Total funding, including private
sector commitments, is expected to exceed $120 million over the next four
years.
Partners in the network's R&D projects include representation from
both the private and public sector, i.e., Syncrude, Tundra Semiconductor,
GasTops, National Research Council Canada, Canadian Space Agency and more
than 20 universities across the country.
Through collective action, participants in Precarn projects are able to
progress more rapidly up the innovation ladder to meet international
competitors whose scale of operations and research investments - including
government support - are usually many times the size of Canada's
efforts.
Projects within the Precarn network develop technologies in a range of
industries including mining, health care, forestry, manufacturing and
aerospace. Precarn's role is as funder and facilitator in bringing
together technology users, suppliers, developers and researchers.
The government uses the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
http://www.innovation.ca/ to strengthen the R&D capabilities of Canadian
universities, colleges, research hospitals and other not-for-profit
institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development. The
CFI
invests in research infrastructure projects through the following programs:
The Innovation Fund enables eligible institutions,
either alone or with other institutions, to strengthen their research
infrastructure in priority areas, as identified in their strategic
research development plan. The fund promotes multidisciplinary and
inter-institutional approaches, and enables Canadian researchers to
tackle groundbreaking projects.
The New Opportunities Fund provides infrastructure
support to newly recruited academic staff. The fund helps universities attract
world-class faculty members, in areas that are essential to the
institutions' research objectives, and
The Infrastructure Operating Fund contributes to the
incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with the
infrastructure projects funded by the CFI. There is no requirement for
matching funds under this program.
In addition, the CFI supports activities aimed at strengthening Canada's
research leadership:
The CFI provides infrastructure support to the Canada Research Chairs
Program, which is establishing 2,000 world-class research positions at
Canadian universities.
The CFI helps fund international infrastructure joint ventures. It
helps Canadian researchers establish in Canada, up to four research
infrastructure projects that take advantage of unique research
opportunities with other world-leaders.
Funding is available to help Canadian institutions and researchers
access major collaborative programs and facilities in other countries.
OTHER R&D INITIATIVES
To encourage R&D in Canada, the federal government offers a number of
programs, in addition to tax incentives. These include:
The Canada Research Chairs Program initiative is part of an overall $4.1
billion investment by Canada's federal government to promote leading-edge
research and innovation in universities, research hospitals and the private
sector; develop new environmental technologies and improve environmental
practices; and strengthen federal, provincial, and municipal infrastructure.
The key objective of the Canada Research Chairs Program is to enable
Canadian universities, together with their affiliated research institutes and
hospitals, to achieve the highest levels of research excellence, to become
world-class research centres in the global, knowledge-based economy.
Chairs will be created in the natural sciences, engineering, health
sciences, social sciences and humanities. The Program's emphasis is on
investment in basic and applied research at Canada's universities.
Between 2001 and 2005, the Canadian government will commit $900-million to
create 2,000 Canada Research Chairs http://www.chairs.gc.ca/ at Canadian universities.
The Canadian government uses the National Research Council to administer
this program, which makes available Industrial Technology Advisors to small
and medium-sized Canadian business. Funding to assist with R&D for these
companies is also available, out of an annual $15-million budget. http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/english/aboutirap_e.html
NSERC http://www.nserc.ca/ is the
national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capability
in science and technology. Established in 1978, NSERC supports both basic
university research through research grants and project research through
partnerships of universities with industry, as well as the advanced training
of highly qualified people in both areas. Its mission is to invest in
people, discovery, and innovation to build a strong Canadian economy and to
improve the quality of life of all Canadians.
NSERC supports research in universities and colleges, research training of
scientists and engineers, and research-based innovation. It also promotes
excellence in intellectual creativity in both the generation and use of new
knowledge, and it works to provide the largest possible number of
Canadians with leading-edge knowledge and skills to help Canada flourish in
the 21st century. NSERC supports world class research and training of
Canada's brightest young people. As a result, Canada has access to
leading edge science and technology from around the world and the expertise of
highly qualified people. Investments in Canada's knowledge base lead to
innovations in industry and advances in setting policy, standards and
regulations, and in solving problems, thus fulfilling the goals set out by
strengthening the economy and improving the quality of life for all
Canadians. NSERC also strives to fulfil its mission by awarding scholarships
and research grants through peer-reviewed competition, and by building
partnerships among universities, colleges, governments and the private
sector. NSERC is committed to institutional innovation in achieving its
mission.
In recent years, NSERC has been successful in:
Maintaining a strong presence in world science and engineering research
by supporting annually nearly 9000 of the most creative and productive
Canadian researchers;
Training more than 50000 master's and doctoral students, and young
research professionals since 1978, who have had little trouble finding well
paying jobs and who are contributing to Canada's knowledge based
economic sectors;
Supporting the development of new processes and products, some leading to
the formation of new companies, all of which contribute significantly to
the national economy;
Encouraging Canadian industry to invest more than $500 million since 1978
in university research and training facilities.
Through its many achievements, NSERC promotes the strong foundation of
people and innovation necessary to realise its goal of a strong Canadian
economy and improved quality of life for Canadians.
Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) is a technology investment fund
contributing to the achievement of Canada's by investing strategically in
research, development and innovation in order to encourage private sector
investment, and so maintain and grow the technology base and technological
capabilities of Canadian industry. TPC also encourages the development of
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in all regions of Canada. TPC
supports research, development and innovation in :
Environmental technologies
Enabling technologies (advanced manufacturing and processing
technologies, advanced materials processes and applications, applications of
biotechnology, and applications of selected information technologies)
Aerospace and Defence
Developing new technology is a high risk venture. TPC makes investments in
projects that would not otherwise proceed within the desired scope, timing
or location.
The Canadian Technology Network, an initiative of the National Research
Council, links together federal and provincial government labs and agencies,
universities, community colleges, industry associations, technology centres
and economic development agencies. Collectively, these organisations
provide innovative Canadian companies with quick and personal access to
expertise, advice and information about how to meet technology and related
business challenges.
The Canadian Technology Network can help companies to access to a wide range
of technology and related business assistance through a cross?country
network of organisations and advisors. Each advisor is employed by an
organisation known for its technology or related business competence. These
advisors are linked together to optimise the identification and referral to
delivery of the right advice or expertise to meet interactive business
needs.
Advisory Members and Affiliate Members
CTN Advisory Members make staff available as Advisors, i.e. pathfinders who
provide free guidance to small and medium?sized businesses. Affiliate
Members provide the services that businesses require usually on a
fee?for?service basis. In its holistic approach of CTN, members seek to provide
assistance throughout the entire innovation cycle from concept or idea to
the commercialisation of a new product or process. Areas of expertise
include:
General Management
Marketing Management
Technology Management
Financial Management
International Resources
CTN Advisors, through CTN Members and Affiliates, know about or are in
contact with international and country?specific networks wherever you need to
be in the world, and in whatever field you work.
Industry Canada's Strategis web site houses a significant amount of
information related to research, technology and innovation. Although the web
site does not categorise all information by sector; information relating to
the ICT industries can be easily found. The portal at http://www.strateg is.ic.gc.ca/sc_innov/engdoc/homepage.html, compliments
as well as
goes beyond what is presented in this paper.
For information on the research services, facilities, technologies and/or
expertise offered by the federal and provincial governments'
science-based departments and agencies, access the following URL: http://www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/ SSG/te01152e.html .
Strategis also offers detailed information of university research through
Trans-Forum. This is an Internet-based communication and information service
which links the industry liaison offices of a growing number of
universities, affiliated research institutes, colleges, technical institutes and
centres of excellence across Canada. Access Trans-Forum through Strategis at
http://www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/ SSG/tf00008e.html .
Business Information by Sector
