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Summary of PAGSE submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (2004)

The Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE) is a cooperative association of more than 20 national organizations in science and engineering, representing some 50,000 individuals from industry, academia and government sectors. It was formed in June 1995 at the invitation of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada. On behalf of its members, PAGSE addresses issues concerning the nature, importance and benefits of science and engineering to Canadians, and promotes greater understanding by decision-makers of the role of Science and Technology (S&T) in Canada's prosperity.

PAGSE has sent its brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance. The theme of this year's submission is "Building Capacity for Innovation". Recommendations include (1) support for the office of the National Science Advisor, (2) improvement of federal S&T capacity and cross-sectoral research cooperation (government/external partnerships), (3) financially strengthening the capacity of the granting agencies to maintain a long-term perspective, (4) strengthening and coordinating logistic support for scientific research in remote areas in Canada, (5) capacity for commercialisation and (6) measures to encourage young Canadians to undertake graduate and post-graduate training in science and engineering. Only the recommendations are presented here: please see http://www.pagse.org/en/briefs/sub2004e.htm for the full document.

Recommendation 1:

That the Government ensure adequate resourcing of the NSA's office to enable it to fulfill its mandate.
That the Government follow through on its declared support for the creation and funding of a 'Canadian Academies of Science'. This institution would help mobilize Canada's capacity to provide independent scientific assessments, enhance the NSA's capacity, and provide an international voice for Canadian S&T.

Note that the second part of this recommendation was also put forward in last year's PAGSE brief, and was implemented just two weeks after the present submission.

Recommendation 2:

That the Government of Canada establish a body under the National Science Advisor for strategic coordination of federal science, to prioritize the renewal of federal research infrastructure in order to improve federal S&T capacity, and to facilitate cross-sectoral research cooperation (government/external partnerships).
That the Government establish government-wide standards for the transparent selection and evaluation of S&T projects in order to enhance the credibility of science undertaken by SBDAs.

Recommendation 3:

To affirm its commitment to innovation, and thus retain and attract outstanding researchers to Canada, the Government should strengthen the capacity of the granting agencies to maintain a long-term perspective by accelerating the rate of increase of their funding allocations, and adopting a multi-year approach coupled with the option of a 10% carry-forward between years.

Recommendation 4:

That the Government of Canada specifically mandate and fund SBDA operational support for scientific programs in remote areas, and create an inter-agency body to provide coordinated logistical support to the full spectrum of scientific research conducted in remote regions across Canada, particularly the Arctic. The resources must be able to provide sustained, integrated support over a wide range of geographic and disciplinary areas.
That Canada's National Science Advisor be tasked with advising on how to structure the national inter-agency body to ensure sustained logistical support for effective research planning and operations to meet national needs.

Recommendation 5:

That the Government of Canada monitor new pre-seed and additional seed funding programs to ensure that they are market driven and led by the private sector. Such programs could be administered by the Business Development Bank of Canada.
That the government strengthen existing programs such as Technology Partnerships Canada, Technology Early Action Measures, and the Industrial Research Assistance Program.
That the government review the highly successful Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credit program with the view to expanding its reach further downstream towards the marketplace.

Recommendation 6:

That the Government examine potential mechanisms for debt forgiveness to encourage greater numbers of students to enter graduate school.
As part of our recommendation regarding the strengthening of granting agencies, that the Government of Canada provide more substantial support through the granting agencies to cover both the stipends and the research and training costs of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows based in Canadian universities and colleges. That the Government ensure that post-graduate and post-doctoral academics working in SMEs be paid regular salaries.

ALSO SEE:

Summary of PAGSE submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (2004)
REPORT TO PAGSE MEMBERS for May 2004 to May 2005
Summary of 2003 PAGSE Submission to Standing Committee on Finance
Summary of past PAGSE recommendations to House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance