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Table 5: Details of Transfer Payment Programs (TPPs)


  • Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
  • Tri-University Meson Facility (TRIUMF)
  • Contributions to International Telescope Programs - Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), Gemini Telescopes, Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)

Start date: 1962-1963

End date: Ongoing

Description: NRC-IRAP provides customized value-added advice, information, referrals and financial assistance to Canadian SMEs and builds effective regional innovation system relationships for the benefit of SMEs. NRC-IRAP works with clients at all stages of the innovation-commercialization continuum, including: project development; access to technical assistance, financial, business, marketing or management advice; access to competitive technical information; patent searches; and access to local, regional, national or international linkages. NRC-IRAP works with organizations that receive NRC-IRAP contributions and others to facilitate the implementation of multi-sector, multi-partner initiatives that are relevant to SMEs regionally and nationally.

Strategic Outcome: An innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through research and development, technology commercialization and industry support.

Results Achieved:

Increased SME technical R&D capability and capacityNRC-IRAP continued to support firms in hiring technical expertise such as engineers and scientists, as well as university and college graduates. In 2008-09, NRC-IRAP helped support 5,733 jobs within its SME clients and funded the employment of 540 youth graduates under the Federal Youth Employment Program.

NRC-IRAP co-located almost 75% of its Industry Technology Advisors (ITAs) in research centres, universities, and other industry association offices to help to facilitate SME access to technical assistance on a timely basis. NRC-IRAP contributed to firms technical capability by providing technical, research, and business assistance to Canadian SMEs (8,811 funded and non-funded firms). Field staff assisted SMEs to connect to a large network of diverse industry specific associations such as the Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation-West and the Board of Governors of Red River College's Advanced Transportation and Energy Centre (ATEC).

NRC-IRAP provided over $9 million in assistance to 142 non-commercial organizations to help them build their capacity to support SMEs. They in turn reached out to over 5,000 SMEs, providing them with, for example, access to research expertise, or equipment and facilities for testing their technology.

Increased SME management, marketing and finance capability and capacityNRC-IRAP has a financial agreement with NRC-CISTI to ensure Program clients benefit from NRC-CISTI's Competitive Technical Information (CTI) services. In 2008-09, NRC-CISTI responded to 1,297 requests for user assistance, technical references, information reports, CTI briefs, CTI assessments, searches, training sessions and presentations.

Under a contribution agreement from NRC-IRAP, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) provided 98 custom management consulting services to SMEs across Canada. Client surveys indicate a high level of satisfaction, with 100% saying they would recommend the Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC-Canada)/NRC-IRAP Management Advisory Service to other small businesses.

Growth of firms as a result of technology development project support – A recent Evaluation of NRC-IRAP reported that its client firms experienced growth, both in real and comparative terms. Over the five year evaluation period (2002-2007), client firm sales grew on average by over 28%, overall firm employment grew by 30%, and company assets grew on average by 15%. NRC-IRAP clients on average have greater capabilities and capacity than non-client SMEs, and that the infusion of NRC-IRAP funds had the complimentary effect of inducing firms to increase their spending on R&D. (Source: 2007 Impact Evaluation report)

Enhanced SME connections to technology and business networks to source supportNRC-IRAP maintained local, regional, national and international networks of industry sector, government and community economic development groups, bringing the most appropriate expertise to its clients. NRC-IRAP also continued to support firms and organizations related to NRC technology clusters; and addressed SME needs in the bioproducts industry through techno-business meetings with over 72 participants that resulted in increased awareness of technology opportunities. Furthermore, NRC-IRAP worked with specific industry sectors and communities to join together by hosting events, technology workshops or training sessions that resulted in building strong technology clusters, and enhancing Canadian R&D and commerce presence.

NRC-IRAP has formal agreements with various Canadian institutions. For example, the NRC/NSERC/BDC Joint Strategy to accelerate the commercialization of publicly-funded research; and with NRC-CISTI to provide competitive technical information. An agreement with the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace (CRIAQ) increased the competitive capacity of Quebec SMEs in aerospace by offering their support in the development and adaptation of new technologies. An agreement with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) fostered the cooperation of Innovation-related activities in the Atlantic region.

The creation of Community of Interest groups, with membership from NRC-IRAP, other parts of NRC and external organizations has increased the sharing of information and creation of knowledge on industry and technology issues which ultimately has contributed to better client service.

Increased adoption/commercialization/collaboration with respect to international endeavours – Two new International Agreements were signed by NRC-IRAP in 2008-09. An agreement with OSEO, the French Agency for Innovation, was established to foster and facilitate close and frequent contact between NRC-IRAP and OSEO to promote the creation of technological partnerships between Canadian and French SMEs; and a collaborative R&D and Technology Partnership with CDTI of Spain. NRC-IRAP has formal and active arrangements with Spain, Ireland, India, China, France, as well as many established relationships with several other countries such as the US, the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands and the European Union. NRC-IRAP collaborates with these countries on a reciprocal basis to support of SME growth, technology transfer and technology development for the purpose of generating economic benefits. These agreements are an opportunity to build greater partnerships among Canadian, international firms and research institutions.

($ millions)
Program Activity: Technology and Industry Support Actual
Spending
2006-07
Actual
Spending
2007-08
Planned
Spending
2008-09
Total
Authorities
2008-09
Actual
Spending
2008-09
Variance(s)
Total Contributions $76.6 $86.1 $93.0 $87.9 $86.5 $6.5
Total Program Activity(ies) $76.6 $86.1 $93.0 $87.9 $86.6 $6.4

Comment(s) on Variance(s): The variance of $6.4 M includes $5.5 M transfer from NRC-IRAP to NRC-HIA in support of the Telescope Initiative, the remaining $0.9 K is the year-end surplus returned to the NRC Finance Branch.

Audit completed or planned: NRC-IRAP Audits of Recipients have started for 2009/10.



Name of Transfer Payment Program: Tri-University Meson Facility (TRIUMF)

Start date: 1976

End date: Ongoing

Description: TRIUMF, Canada's national facility for research in subatomic physics, is located on the campus of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. It has been operated since 1968 by a consortium of four Western universities - the University of Alberta, Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia - under a joint venture agreement. A fifth university, Carleton, joined the consortium on April 1, 2000 and the University of Toronto became the sixth member in April 2005. Seven additional universities (Regina, Manitoba, Guelph, McMaster, Queen's, St. Mary's and Montreal) are associate members.

TRIUMF functions as a national laboratory and as Canada's gateway to international subatomic physics. It houses a particle accelerator that produces energetic beams of mesons and other subatomic particles required for fundamental research in nuclear and particle physics by Canadian and foreign researchers. This research lays the foundation for new technologies in the physical and life sciences and the facility is a major contributor to advanced materials research in Canada and abroad.

Strategic Outcome: An innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through research and development, technology commercialization and industry support.

Results Achieved:

General

  • 2,102 visitors including 622 scientists visiting TRIUMF one or more times
  • 157 publications in scientific journals
  • Provided training and employment opportunities for 105 graduate and undergraduate students
  • TRIUMF Accelerator Scientists began teaching a graduate accelerator science course at UBC. Plans are underway to extend the opportunity to other Canadian universities
  • The TRIUMF Five-Year Plan report won the Tom Fairley award for book editing from the Editors' Association of Canada.
  • TRIUMF's main cyclotron was maintained as one of the most reliable in the world at 90% availability
  • TRIUMF received significant publicity during the year, including articles in the Globe and Mail, CBC interviews, a Nature Essay and numerous articles in the CanWest newspaper groups. TRIUMF outreached by delivering community lectures, hosting 8 conferences for 1,159 delegates, producing 5 educational videos, and by hosting a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology to advance Canadian competitiveness in particle and nuclear physics and nuclear medicine.

Nuclear Science
Conducted experiments that were possible nowhere else in the world; setting new world records for accuracy and precision. For example:

  • The DRAGON facility undertook the world's first precision measurement of a nuclear reaction rate that is critical for understanding how stars produce chemical elements. This is important for producing long-lived radioisotopes
  • TRIUMF's Isotope Separator and Accelerator (ISAC) facility developed the world's most intense accelerated isotope beam. The TUDA experiment used this beam to investigate nuclear reactions occurring in novae. The results aided in understanding satellite gamma-ray observatories such as the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST)
  • TRIUMF's TITAN facility set world records by performing precision mass measurements of atoms of isotopes shorter-lived and lighter-weight than ever before including the most exotic isotope on earth: Helium-8
  • The ISAC facility accelerated a beam of Rhubidium-80 ions – a world first. ISAC is one of only three facilities in the world with this capability
  • Canadian scientists studied heavy hydrogen and made the first measurement of its chemical reaction rate

Nuclear Medicine

  • A lung cancer hypoxia study patient was scanned for the first time ever in Canada in 2008 at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) using an innovative radiotracer developed at TRIUMF. This clinical trial has potential to dictate cancer treatment methods with much improved accuracy.
  • TRIUMF supplied medical isotopes to the BCCA and the Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre.
($ millions)
Program Activity: Research and Development Actual
Spending
2006-07
Actual
Spending
2007-08
Planned
Spending
2008-09
Total
Authorities
2008-09
Actual
Spending
2008-09
Variance(s)
Total Contributions $45.5 $51.5 $43.6 $43.6 $43.5 $0.1
Total Program Activity(ies) $45.5 $51.5 $43.6 $43.6 $43.5 $0.1

Comment(s) on Variance(s):

Audit completed or planned:



Name of Transfer Payment Program: Contributions to International Telescope Programs - Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), Gemini Telescopes, Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)

Start date: 1978

End date: Ongoing

Description: NRC, in partnership with other international bodies, provides financial contributions that support the management and operations of these telescopes and their related facilities and participates in the oversight and direction of the facilities and research. Astrophysics research and development requires large, costly and very precise telescopes and related instruments situated in areas that will provide ideal viewing conditions. It is beyond the capacity of individual firms or even countries to support the costs of developing and maintaining the facilities required for astrophysics research, thus it is necessary for public sector organizations, through international partnerships, to support this R&D.

Strategic Outcome: An innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through research and development, technology commercialization and industry support.

Results Achieved:

NRC maintained critical astronomical infrastructure within Canada and contributed to three major international facilities providing Canadian researchers access to forefront research opportunities in the optical and sub-mm spectral windows. In 2008, NRC underwent an international Peer Review in astronomy that concluded that NRC's role is world-class, and establishes Canada as a leading force in both science and technology related to astronomy and astrophysics.

Canadian Astronomy Data Centre – The CADC was integrated into the operations of all the offshore telescopes that NRC operates. During 2008 CADC delivered 1.62 M files comprised of 117 TB of data to 2,772 users.

Canada France Hawaii Telescope – 2008 was the second consecutive year that more than 100 scientific papers were published as a result of research done at this facility. Canadians led three of four new "Large Programmes" approved by the CFHT.

Gemini – Led by NRC's Dr. Christian Marois, a team including several Canadian astronomers used the Gemini Observatory and Marois's novel technique to discover and photograph three planets around HR8799, a nearby star. Dr. Marois was named Scientist of the Year by Radio-Canada and received an NRC Outstanding Achievement Award for his work. Canada enjoyed the highest fraction (>70%) of proposals shared with astronomers from another Gemini partner country. A user survey revealed high satisfaction with support provided to Canadian astronomers by NRC, as well as insight into how both NRC and the Gemini Observatory could improve.

Composite Applications for Radio Telescopes Project (CART) – In three years, NRC developed a leading candidate technology for the future Square Kilometre Array (SKA) world observatory: low-cost, high-performance parabolic reflectors made using composite materials. By September 2008 a production-friendly reflector with improved surface accuracy was ready. It was used to test another novel SKA technology: a custom digital camera for radio imaging. These contributions position Canada among the top technology providers for the SKA.

($ millions)
Program Activity: Research and Development Actual
Spending
2006-07
Actual
Spending
2007-08
Planned
Spending
2008-09
Total
Authorities
2008-09
Actual
Spending
2008-09
Variance(s)
Total Contributions $12.6 $9.2 $5.5 $11.0 $10.5 $(5.0)
Total Program Activity(ies) $12.6 $9.2 $5.5 $11.0 $10.5 $(5.0)

Comment(s) on Variance(s):

Audit completed or planned: