Federal Science and Technology: The Pursuit of Excellence

Chapter 3: Moving Forward on Collaborative Science and Technology

Federal S&T; is There for Canadians

Federal science and technology (S&T;) contributes directly to a broad range of outcomes that Canadians expect from their government — that is, enhancing human health, assuring national security, improving economic strength, sustaining the environment, and advancing the quality of life. It provides information affecting the daily lives of Canadians, such as weather warnings and food safety, and brings to life new ideas and technologies with global implications, such as the heart pacemaker and telecommunications satellites.

A Solid Foundation to Build On

The 1996 federal strategy, Science and Technology for the New Century, outlined the federal government's approach to the development of federal S&T; policies and programs and to the enhanced management of S&T.; It served as an important catalyst for improving federal S&T; performance. Its principles continue to be relevant as the demands placed on federal S&T; change and evolve. As a result of the strategy, federal-government scientists and researchers have forged stronger links with each other, as well as with the broader Canadian and international S&T; communities. The governance and advisory mechanisms put in place as a result of the strategy have helped shape new ways of doing business for federal S&T.;

The establishment of the Council of Science and Technology Advisors (CSTA) in 1998, in particular, has provided a valuable independent, external perspective on the government’s approach to S&T.; Its first report on science advice formed the basis of the federal Framework for Science and Technology Advice. Subsequent advice from the CSTA has focused on other aspects related to promoting excellence in federally performed S&T.;

The Role of the Federal Government in Performing S&T;

The CSTA identified four core roles of federally performed S&T;, distinct from that conducted by the other participants in the national innovation system— industry, academia and not-for-profit organizations. The CSTA concluded that the unique and essential role of the federal government is in performing public-good S&T;, that is, undertaking activities that focus on protecting and advancing the public interest on behalf of Canadians. Science-based departments and agencies (SBDAs) agree with the following roles:

• Support for decision making, policy development and regulation.
• Development and management of federal and international standards.
• Support for health, safety and security, and environmental needs.
• Enabling economic and social development.

In addition to the direct role it plays in these systems as a performer of S&T;, the federal government also has several indirect yet critical roles as a leader, funder and facilitator. For example, the federal government provides grants for academic research, research chairs and research infrastructure, as well as tax credits for industrial research and development (R&D;). It also supports innovation systems through several other critical activities, such as infrastructure, information systems, industrial and trade policy, regulatory systems, training and intellectual property rules.

An Evolving Context for Federal S&T;

In keeping with the roles of the federal government in S&T;, the CSTA’s reports also provided thoughtful analysis of the evolving context for federal S&T.; It is a context characterized by the following:

• rapid changes in S&T; knowledge and capacity worldwide;
• an aging workforce;
• competing demands for government resources to attract a new generation of scientists and researchers, and to maintain and upgrade facilities and equipment; and
• increasing public expectations for S&T; to provide the answers to complex challenges that reach across jurisdictions and disciplines, such as climate change, stem-cell research, food safety, national security and the threat of epidemic diseases.

Challenges and Responses

The 2002 Speech from the Throne (SFT) committed the Government of Canada to strengthening the contribution of federal science resources by integrating efforts across departments and disciplines, and focusing on the priorities of Canadians. This commitment recognized citizen expectations that resources will be directed to producing results for Canadians on national priorities. It also recognized that an integrated approach to federal science management is required to have good science advice for complex national issues that cross traditional departmental boundaries and to recognize the context of increasing convergence across scientific disciplines.

SBDAs have recognized these imperatives and have continued the work begun before the SFT commitment to develop policy and program responses. Through this dialogue, consensus emerged across SBDAs on principles and practices for collaboration, and integration of science efforts across departments. This consensus is reflected in a common vision for federal S&T;, produced at a national forum involving scientists, science managers and policy advisors from across Canada. The vision was adopted by the deputy ministers of SBDAs and has six main elements:

• identify emerging issues important to Canadians and refocus efforts on them;
• mobilize resources to seek solutions;
• integrate across disciplines and departments, with policy and with external partners;
• contribute to better policies and delivery of superior services;
• attract, develop and support outstanding scientific experts; and
• be a prime source of credible, useful and trusted information.