Science-Based Departments and Agencies

Many departments and agencies in Canada’s federal government play key roles in meeting the challenges of the globalized knowledge-based economy. Through partnerships and collaboration with universities, industry and other levels of government in communities all across Canada, Science-Based Departments and Agencies (SBDAs) use their core competencies, strengths in S&T, networking abilities and infrastructure support to help Canadian firms realize their future potential. Some of Canada’s most active SBDAs are profiled in the following pages.

Industry Canada (IC)

Industry Canada coordinates Canada’s science and technology policy. As part of this role, the Department monitors the implementation of Canada’s S&T Innovation Strategy and Canada’s Biotechnology Strategy (http://www.biotech.gc.ca). The Department also conducts some research, primarily in information and communication technologies, through the Communications Research Centre (http://www.crc.ca). In addition, Industry Canada develops and applies state-of-the-art information technologies to collect and disseminate information on science, technology and innovation opportunities (http://www.strategis.ic.gc.ca), and promotes a strong science culture in Canada. Web site: http://www.ic.gc.ca

National Research Council Canada (NRC)

NRC is Canada’s premier federal scientific research organization. With 19 research institutes, two innovation centres and four technology centres across Canada, NRC pursues a diverse range of scientific investigation - including the fields of biotechnology, marine dynamics, microstructural and molecular sciences, aerospace research and measurement standards.

NRC works in partnerships with innovative companies, universities and research organizations worldwide in many joint activities based on formal and informal agreements. During 2001-02, NRC led more than 30 formal S&T missions to other countries, hosted more than 50 incoming S&T missions, and participated in 589 international committees and 646 international conferences. It renewed or signed new S&T Memoranda of Understanding with the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Germany, Spain, Japan, the Czech Republic and France. NRC actively promotes strategic information, intelligence and connections to global centres of advanced S&T and has created significant international networks that help transfer valuable S&T information and market opportunities to Canadian industry and organizations. International collaborations and exchange programs also bring visiting scientists and guest workers from both Canadian and foreign universities, companies and public-sector organizations -1,200 guest workers in 2000-01 alone. NRC also represents Canada in more than 39 international scientific unions, most of which fall under the International Council for Science.
Web site: http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) works with small and medium-sized businesses through its 262 Industrial Technology Advisors located in 90 communities across Canada. In 2001-02, more than 12,400 Canadian businesses benefited from their expert advice, assistance and services through this program.
Web site: http://irap.nrc.gc.ca

NRC offers access to one of the world’s largest collections of S&T information via its Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI). Web site: http://cisti.nrc.gc.ca

NRC’s cross-country Canadian Technology Network (CTN) provides small or medium-sized technology related businesses with access to people with specialized expertise in particular areas of technology. Each advisor is employed by a member organization known for its technology- or business-related competence. Advisors in the more than 800 member organizations are linked to optimize the identification and delivery of the most appropriate advice. Web site: http://ctn.nrc.gc.ca

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

AAFC promotes the development, adaptation and competitiveness of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. Recognizing the need to strengthen the link between science and policy and to integrate science with strategies for policy development, rural issues and domestic and international trade, AAFC’s science is organized into four programs: Environmental Health; Sustainable Production Systems; Bioproducts and Bioprocesses; and Food Safety and Quality.  

The Department has 19 research centres across Canada, linked electronically and pursuing collaborative research projects under a variety of programs funded by government, industry partnerships and the private sector. Through these programs and through their own department-based work, the Department’s scientists contribute to many international initiatives.

Environment Canada (EC)

Environment Canada’s mandate is to preserve and enhance the quality of the natural environment, to conserve Canada’s renewable and water resources, to carry out meteorology, and to coordinate environmental policies and programs for the federal government. Approximately 3,000 scientific and technical personnel focus on wildlife, freshwater, meteorology and atmospheric science, as well as technology for the prevention and remediation of environmental pollution. Research is carried out in labs and in the field, largely by the National Water Research Institute, the Environment Technology Centre, the National Wildlife Research Centre, and the Atmospheric and Climate Science Directorate. Partnerships and collaborations are an important factor in the Department’s S&T activities. A typical example is the study of the Georgian Basin and Puget Sound ecosystem jointly undertaken by Canada and the United States to measure shared stresses on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.
Web site: http://www.ec.gc.ca

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)

DFO’s Science Program is the foundation for the policies and activities that support Canada’s economic, ecological and scientific interest in the oceanic and freshwater habitat. DFO is responsible for conservation and sustainable utilization of Canada’s fisheries resources in marine and inland waters and for safe, effective and environmentally sound marine services responsive to the needs of Canadians in a global economy. The Department’s S&T work focuses on research and technologies contributing to managing and protecting fisheries resources; protecting the marine and freshwater environment; understanding the oceans and aquatic resources; maintaining marine safety; and facilitating maritime commerce and oceans development. Internationally, DFO collaborates with foreign governments in a number of major initiatives.
Web site: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)

An agency of the Department of National Defence (DND), DRDC provides DND with leading-edge S&T products and services related to defence. The results that DRDC aims to achieve are new or improved equipment, tactics, processes and procedures that will ensure the Canadian Forces are technologically prepared for the challenges they will face on the battlefield, as well as providing technological and S&T policy advice.

DRDC fosters defence S&T innovation through several programs. Funding is provided for developing new defence initiatives as well as fostering technologies that could have defence applications. DRDC also monitors emerging technologies that could have defensive applications, and co-sponsors symposia/workshops to raise awareness of new and emerging issues in S&T. With close alliances with NATO members, especially the United States, many of DRDC's efforts involve international collaboration. DRDC has its headquarters in Ottawa and six research centres across the country.
Web site: http://www.drdc-rddc.gc.ca

Health Canada (HC)

Health Canada provides national leadership in developing Canada’s health policy, enforcing health regulations, promoting disease prevention, enhancing healthy living in Canada, and responding to the changing nature of health issues in Canada and around the world. The Department uses in-house research as well as research carried out in a network of national and international science organizations to develop the sound science advice needed to support its policies, regulations and programs. S&T activities concentrate mainly on health protection and promotion and on anticipating, preventing and responding to new threats from emerging and re-emerging diseases. In addition, the Department is investigating the extensive use of information technology to enhance the sharing of health knowledge and expertise through the “Canada Health Infoway.”
Web site: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

NRCan’s S&T programs reflect the Department’s integration of economic, social and environmental objectives into its decision-making process for developing and using Canada’s resources in energy, forests, minerals and metals. The Department’s S&T programs specialize in leading-edge science and technology expertise in energy, minerals and metals, forests and earth sciences (geoscience and geomatics). Through partnerships and research networks with governments, industry and academia in Canada and internationally, NRCan focuses on knowledge and technology solutions to advance innovation, resource stewardship and environmental performance, including increased energy efficiency.