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NRCan Activities
SOME OF THE MANY THINGS NRCAN DOES FOR CANADIANS
QUALITY OF LIFE | INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES
| ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP | A STRONG ECONOMY
QUALITY OF LIFE
NRCan:
- supports the sustainable development of Canada's natural resources
- preserves our natural resources heritage
- helps Canadians understand the geography and geology of their country
- provides information during disasters, such as floods and severe storms
- puts geographic data on the Internet
- designs technology to monitor forest fires
- provides geospatial information to build sustainable communities
- helps train and develop the next generation of resource-oriented researchers
- develops safety manuals, guidelines and standards for manufacturing,
handling and using explosives and pyrotechnics
- supports Arctic research programs
- helps Canadians improve the energy efficiency of their homes and communities
- develops knowledge and technologies to reduce potential health and
safety hazards for mine workers
- develops DNA technology to identify tree thieves
- maintains Canada's international boundary
- monitors earthquakes
INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES
NRCan:
- promotes the success of natural resources industries in the knowledge-based,
innovative economy of the 21st century
- develops world-class, resource-oriented science and technology
- promotes development of environmentally friendly technologies
- maps Canada's offshore regions and produces national topographic maps
- promotes and supports Canada's rapidly expanding geomatics industry
- develops innovative lightweight materials for auto parts, sports equipment
and other products
- works with Canadian Space Agency on satellite observation of climate
change
- develops alternative forest-pest control methods
- supports the development of fuel cell technology
- leads the way in cutting-edge research on tree genetics
- promotes technology development of alternative and renewable energy
- makes information about Canada's natural resources available on the
Internet
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
NRCan:
- leads domestic efforts to address climate change
- supports climate change science
- supports research on climate change adaptation for agriculture, forestry,
water resources and communities
- encourages energy-efficient and environmentally responsible commercial
buildings
- encourages the use of solar and biomass technologies in businesses
across the country
- encourages the purchase of energy-efficient vehicles and appliances
through the EnerGuide label
- involves over 3,400 retailers across Canada in a battery recycling
program
- helps improve vehicle energy efficiency through lightweight metal
alloys
- supports better water and the sustainable development of groundwater
resources
- develops technologies to reduce the incidence of corrosion failures
in Canada's pipelines
- supports the sustainable development of minerals and metals, at home
and internationally
- runs Model Forests, recognized as an international model of sustainable
forestry
- works with the mining industry to reduce the environmental impact
of mining
- works with the international community on sustainable forest management
A STRONG ECONOMY
NRCan:
- promotes the vital economic contribution of natural resources industries
to our economy
- supports development of world-class energy technologies
- identifies potential diamond-bearing deposits
- encourages Aboriginal community-mining industry partnerships
- explores and enhances international opportunities for Canadian companies
- leads international trade and investment missions
- increases economic opportunities through the First Nation Forestry
Program
- promotes Canada as the world's financial leader for the international
mining community
- supports increased exports of mining equipment and expertise
- promotes Canadian forest science and technology throughout the world
- houses the world's leading knowledge base for Canada's minerals and
metals industry
NRCan promotes Canada's niches in:
- geomatics and global positioning systems
- lightweight metals
- mining exploration and financing
- safety controls and environmental technologies for resources
industries
- satellite mapping
- forest fire and pest management technologies
- oil sands and heavy oil upgrading technologies
- oil and gas development, especially offshore
- electricity generation and long-distance transmission
- remote sensing
- nuclear power production
- energy use efficiency
NRCan helps Canadian companies:
- market products at home and abroad
- bring together economic, environmental and social goals
- develop innovative technologies in areas such as reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, computerized laser optimizing saws, robotic mining
and horizontal oil and gas drilling
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Did You Know?
- Natural resources sectors account for 11 percent of Canada's
GDP ($88 billion/year).
- Natural resources sectors generate 780,000 direct jobs and an
equal amount of indirect employment.
- Average productivity growth in the natural resources sectors
has been three times higher than the rest of the economy over
the past two decades.
- Natural resources industries are responsible for close to $100
billion annually in exports, plus a trade surplus of $60 billion.
- Canadian resources companies invest about $35 billion per year
in new capital (much of it high-tech), 22 percent of the nation's
total.
- Natural resources are the lifeblood of 3.5 million Canadians
in more than 600 communities, many rural, remote, northern and
Aboriginal.
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