ARCHIVED - Industry Canada

The CFI is an arm’s length, independent corporation that funds research infrastructure. The CFI’s mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and not-for-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.

An innovative economy

CFI's objectives for 2008–2009 are to:

• Promote world-class excellence by sustaining and evolving the infrastructure to meet new research demands, within the context of the overall Science & Technology Strategy
• Continue planning and monitoring investments in collaboration with partners and stakeholders
• Continue to contribute to Canada’s international leadership position by strengthening existing investments in research infrastructure
• Encourage partnerships between academia and industry through its infrastructure investments
• Remain accountable and transparent through maintaining strong accountability mechanisms, including evaluations

CFI has scheduled the following third-party evaluation activities for 2008–2009:

• International Joint Venture Fund interim evaluation to begin in 2008
• Infrastructure Operating Fund evaluation to begin in 2008
• Implementation of a new evaluation approach: the Outcome Measurement Study

Other evaluation activities include:

• Annual analysis of project progress reports from more than 3100 projects
• A performance evaluation of the CFI (in compliance with CFI’s Funding Agreement)
• An update of CFI’s Evaluation Framework

www.innovation.ca

CIFAR is a not-for-profit corporation that supports networks of some of the best Canadian and international researchers in conducting long-term research on scientific, social and economic issues of vital importance to Canada.

An innovative economy

In 2008–2009, CIFAR in support of overall Science and Technology Strategy plans to continue to support its existing research programs in:

• earth system evolution;
• cosmology and gravity;
• nanoelectronics;
• quantum information processing;
• experience-based brain and biological development;
• institutions, organizations and growth;
• integrated microbial biodiversity;
• genetic networks;
• neural computation and adaptive perception;
• quantum materials;
• social interactions, identity and well-being; and
• successful societies.

CIFAR will also support fellows, scholars, associates and young researchers and continue its dissemination, communications and outreach activities.

CIFAR will complete a performance audit by June 30, 2010. CIFAR will also complete a program evaluation of its activities and projects by June 30, 2010.

www.cifar.ca

CANARIE Inc. operates and develops Canada’s advanced, high speed backbone network that facilitates the development and use of next-generation technologies. In partnership with advanced research networks in every province, it connects research facilities, educational institutions, hospitals, and other science facilities to each other and to their international peers. It is an essential tool for researchers and educators engaged in collaborative work.

An innovative economy

CANARIE will continue to operate and develop the next-generation network and foster collaborative arrangements among researchers enabling them to participate in research activities across Canada and around the world, thus contributing to the achievement of the Science and Technology Strategy. Results are reported back to Industry Canada on an annual basis.

A compliance audit is planned by June 30, 2008.

www.canarie.ca

The Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) is an arm’s length, not-for-profit organization that was established to assess the state of scientific knowledge underpinning key public policy issues. Its founding members are the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. The Government of Canada provided a $30 million one-time conditional grant in July 2005 from Budget 2005, which entitles the government to five assessments per year. Each assessment will likely take 18 months to two years to complete.

An innovative economy

The CCA released its report on Influenza and Personal Protective Respiratory Equipment in December 2007. In Fiscal Year 2008–2009, the CCA will complete four more assessments: Groundwater in Canada, Gas Hydrates as an Energy Resource, Potential Risks of Nanotechnology, and Private Sector Innovation in Canada. These assessments will report on the relevant science — identifying both what is known and where there are gaps in our knowledge. Such findings will be relevant for policy decisions in cases where scientific factors play a significant role.

A compliance audit of the Funding Agreement with the CCA was completed in June 2007. There are currently no additional reviews planned for the reporting period.

The Minister has undertaken to ensure that a value-for-money audit is performed at least once during the period of April 1, 2005, to March 31, 2010.

www.scienceadvice.ca

1. Brain Research Centre — March 2012
2. Canada School of Energy and Environment — March 2010
3. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario — March 2012
4. National Optics Institute — March 2011
5. St. Michael’s Hospital — March 2011
6. Dalhousie University — March 2011
7. Royal Institute for the Advancement of Learning — March 2010

The federal government is targeting $105 million in 2007–2008 to areas where Canada has potential to be a world leader, such as energy, environmental technologies, information technologies and health sciences.

An innovative economy

The funding will be used to support the operating costs of research and development such as salaries for research support staff, equipment maintenance and administration and IT support in order to leverage the skills of the researchers. In three cases, the funding will also support capital costs for the construction of a translational research facility.

This funding also contributes to the overall Sciences and Technology Strategy.

The Minister may require a compliance audit. The Government of Canada or the Auditor General of Canada may conduct performance or compliance audits or evaluations.

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Genome Canada is an independent corporation with six regional genomics centres across Canada. Genome Canada, the primary funding and information resource concerned with genomics and proteomics in Canada, has enabled Canada to become a world leader in key areas such as agriculture, environment, fisheries, forestry, health and new technology development, as well as ethical, environmental, economic, legal, and social issues related to genomics (GE³LS).

An innovative economy

During the next year, Genome Canada will strengthen Canada’s genomics and proteomics research capacity through continued investment in large-scale genomics and proteomics research projects, and continue to provide information and education on genomics and proteomics to the public in support of the Science and Technology Strategy.

In addition, Genome Canada will continue to develop regional and sectoral strengths, leverage international dollars and knowledge through international consortia, leverage non-federal funding, contribute to the "brain gain," make cost-effective world-class S&T platforms available to the genomics research community, and contribute to health and environmental improvements.

A compliance audit of the funding agreement was conducted during the summer of 2006. A performance audit will be conducted prior to March 1, 2009.

www.genomecanada.ca

The Perimeter Institute is an independent, resident-based research institute devoted to foundational issues in theoretical physics at the highest levels of international excellence.

An innovative economy

During the next year the Institute will contribute to the overall Science and Technology Strategy. The Institute plans to support world-class research in theoretical physics; strengthen the preparation, attraction and retention of highly qualified people; continue to brand the Institute as a world-class destination for conducting and applying theoretical physics research; and encourage the broad dissemination of theoretical physics knowledge.

A program evaluation will be completed by March 31, 2011. A performance audit will be conducted by June 30, 2010

www.perimeterinstitute.ca

To support research and the dissemination of research findings in the humanities and human sciences, such as Canadian studies, history, international relations, journalism, law, peace and conflict studies, philosophy, political economy, political science, sociology, and urban and community studies.

An innovative economy

In 2008–2009, the Foundation will continue to support 5 fellowships, 15 scholarships and 9 mentorships in the social sciences.

The next evaluation of the Foundation is due March 2009. After this evaluation, one is required every five years thereafter.

www.trudeaufoundation.ca

Precarn is Canada’s national organization for the development and commercialization of intelligent systems and robotics. In the Precarn model for commercializing R&D, a private-sector technology developer enters into a formal collaborative agreement with Precarn. This agreement incorporates a Commercialization Plan and a marketing strategy for the technology under development. Precarn also identifies which university or research institute is best suited to be an R&D partner. An agreement is then entered into with another company that is a potential user of the technology under development. This second company provides feedback and suggestions for improvement, and is often the first customer for the technology developed in the project.

An innovative economy

Under this program, Precarn commits to undertaking a 5-year technology commercialization program, which aligns with the overall Science and Technology Strategy. Precarn will disburse its funds by issuing Requests for Proposals to industry, and by undertaking a formal, rigorous, and transparent assessment of the submissions it receives. The most promising proposals will be forwarded to Precarn’s board of directors for final approval. Results are reported back to Industry Canada on a quarterly and annual basis.

An evaluation framework for Phase 4 is in place. A compliance audit for Phase 4 was completed and submitted to Industry Canada in June 2006. Precarn supplies annual financial statements that are certified by an independent auditor. Precarn will also undertake a summative Program Evaluation of Phase 4 and deliver this to the Minister before the program ends on March 31, 2010.

http://www.precarn.ca

To support and develop youth entrepreneurship. The youth business program provides loans, mentorship support and an interactive website to entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 34.

Competitive industry and sustainable communities

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) will continue to expand its programs to support young Canadians who see entrepreneurship as a viable option, but who would not typically be supported by traditional lending institutions. In addition to increasing the provision of loans, the program aims to enhance the fundamental business skills required to run a successful business.

Further, the CYBF will increase the number of new community partners, augment its support and reach into local communities, establish new in-house mentoring programs and services, enhance and expand its "Business Start-Up" financing program, and implement a multi-tiered marketing and outreach strategy to increase the number of participants in the program, as well as the number of sponsors.

An evaluation measuring the overall performance of the CYBF in achieving its objectives will be conducted by an independent third party by September 2009.

The CYBF will make its annual report available to the public, in both official languages, within six months after the end of each fiscal year. The report also includes the annual audited financial statements reviewed by a professionally certified external accountant/auditor.

www.cybf.ca