Science and Technology Policy Documents

Innovation S&T documents are published from various sources which have been placed on the Internet and other publications on the WWW which are relevant to science.

Please note: Documents are provided by outside organizations in different formats including hypertext (HTML), plain text (ASCII), and Adobe Acrobat portable documents (.pdf). To view Acrobat versions, download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader.

Annual Reports and Data Books

Science and Technology for the New Century, the Federal S&T Strategy, called for an annual report on science and technological activities in the federal government. These reports are listed in chronological order beginning with the most recent. The annual Science and Technology Data Book continues a long history of Industry Canada providing a concise and readable summary of science and technology indicators for Canada.

2004 Science and Technology Data Book

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2003 Federal Science and Technology Report
Federal Science and Technology: The Pursuit of Excellence

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Science and Technology Data Book

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2002 Federal Science and Technology Report
Science and Technology Advice: A Framework to Build On

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Science and Technology Data Book

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1996 - 2001 Federal Science and Technology Report
Investing in Excellence, 1996-2001

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Science and Technology Data Book

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1999 Federal Science and Technology Report
Forging Ahead

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Science and Technology Data Book

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1998 Federal Science and Technology Report
Building Momentum

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Science and Technology Data Book

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1997 Federal Science and Technology Report
Minding Our Future

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Science and Technology Data Book

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Government Response to Reports of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology is a parliamentary committee that brings forward recommendations on matters it has studied by tabling a report in the House of Commons. The following documents are the Government's responses to Committee reports on issues related to innovation, where a response has been requested.

• Government Response to the Tenth Report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, "Canada’s Innovation Strategy: Peer Review and the Allocation of Federal Research Funds" (November 2002). View the HTML pages or the Adobe Acrobat version.



• Government Response to the Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, "A Canadian Innovation Agenda for the Twenty-First Century" (November 2001). View the HTML pages.



• Government Response to the Nineteenth Report of the Standing Committee on Industry Research Funding, "Strengthening the Sources of Innovation" (1999). View the HTML pages or the Adobe Acrobat version.

Advisory Council on Science and Technology (ACST)

The Advisory Council on Science and Technology, created in 1996, provides the Prime Minister with advice on national science and technology goals and policies. As an external advisory body, the Council has the mandate to review Canada's performance in S&T, identify emerging issues, and advise on a forward-looking agenda for innovation.

• Creating a Sustainable University Research Environment in Canada (September 29, 2000).



• Reaching Out: Canada, International Science and Technology, and the Knowledge-based Economy (June 23, 2000).



• Stepping Up: Skills and Opportunities in the Knowledge Economy (April 2000).



• Public Investments in University Research: Reaping the Benefits (May 4, 1999).

Council of Science and Technology Advisors (CSTA)

The Council of Science and Technology Advisors (CSTA) is an external, expert advisory body that provides advice to the federal Cabinet on the management of the government's internal science and technology enterprise. CSTA membership is drawn from the academic, private and not-for-profit sectors, and reflects the diversity of S&T-based disciplines. The CSTA promotes excellence in federal S&T; management by examining issues that cut across science-based departments and agencies, and highlighting opportunities for synergy and joint action. The CSTA provides its advice to Cabinet through the reports available here.

• Linkages in the National Knowledge System (LINKS) February 2005.



• Science Communications and Opportunities for Public Engagement (SCOPE) April 2003.



• Employees Driving Government Excellence (EDGE) November 2002.



• Science and Technology Excellence in the Public Service: A Framework for Excellence in Federally Performed Science and Technology (STEPS) August 2001.



• Reinforcing External Advice To Departments (READ) May 2001.



• Role of Government Science and Technology: Building Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST) March 2000.



• Science Advice for Government Effectiveness (SAGE) May 1999.

Other S&T Policy Documents

These documents outline the broad science and technology policy directions set out by the government since 1996. These documents have been developed collaboratively across the federal government and accepted by Cabinet. They provide guidance to departments and agencies on how to carry out science and technology activities for the maximum benefit of Canadians.

• A Framework for Federal Science & Technology Advice: Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Use of Science and Technology Advice in Government Decision Making.
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• In the Service of Canadians: A Framework for Federal Science and Technology
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• Policy on Title to Intellectual Property Arising Under Crown Procurement Contracts (Adobe Acrobat Version)



• Science and Technology for the New Century - A Federal Strategy  (Adobe Acrobat Version). The summary of the strategy and highlights of the departmental action plans are also available in Adobe Acrobat Version. March 1996.