SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE
ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
January 2008
Presented by the Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE)
170 Waller Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 9B9
www.pagse.org
The
Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE;)
endorses the overall direction and principles of the Federal Strategy:
Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage. It considers
the strategy a sound policy statement and applauds the promotion of
greater balance between research and development performing sectors.
PAGSE also commends the Government for its measures to sustain and improve
Canada’s scientific and technological infrastructure through the
programs of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the indirect costs
of research program and other measures.
The following could be considered in implementation of
the Strategy:
-
Measures to improve communication across research
and development performing sectors;
-
Implications of transferring non-regulatory federal
government laboratories to university campuses or industry. Transfers
could be effected in parallel with increased funding for university-based
research;
-
Improved data management / archiving;
-
Expanded support for fundamental (university-based)
research and for indirect costs of research; for work in remote
areas, notably the Arctic; and for the vital public service function
of federal laboratories;
-
Greater support for international research partnerships
and programs; possible establishment of a Fund to support Canadian
leadership and participation in international science initiatives.
The Partnership Group on Science and Engineering (PAGSE)
is an association of over 25 professional and scientific organizations
representing 50,000 members from academia, industry and government sectors.
It represents the Canadian science and engineering community to the
Government and seeks to advance research and innovation for the benefit
of Canadians. PAGSE is not a lobby group, but a cooperative partnership
that addresses broad issues of science and engineering policy at the
national level.
While the science and technology (S&T) Strategy
correctly seeks to enhance Canada’s “entrepreneurial advantage”,
building an environment that encourages private sector investment and
the translation of knowledge into commercial applications, PAGSE considers
it important that this objective not eclipse the need for basic research:
university researchers are key to most basic research. The goal of fundamental
research is to advance knowledge and understanding. Practical applications
of results may be unknown or speculative; however, applied research
depends on a firm foundation of fundamental knowledge and can only flourish
when underpinned by basic, curiosity-driven scientific investigation.
New information and insights from basic research feed entrepreneurial
energy by providing ideas, data and skilled human resources, thereby
feeding opportunities for technological progress or market advantage.
A strategy aimed at increasing industrial research must include measures
to strengthen the scientific base for innovation and new technology.
In Canada, research in different sectors serves unique purposes: public
sector research for standards and regulation, public services, policy
development and the maintenance of national databases; academic research
to advance knowledge, to educate and train, and to provide information
for standard setting and policy development; industrial research to
develop new products or techniques, streamline processes, adapt to changing
or anticipated conditions, advance commercial development and market
share. The Science and Technology Strategy needs to promote communication
among these sectors, to achieve the objectives of synergy and balance
and to ensure the inter-connected research that Canada needs. Actions
could include: measures to promote the protection of intellectual property
through patents, licensing or other measures; strengthening of logistical
support for research in remote regions, such as the Arctic; improved
data management (archiving and access); and greater attention to international
research partnerships and programs.
Public Sector Participation in R&D
The importance of maintaining independent research capacity in the federal
government must not be understated. The public sector serves a unique
purpose, performing research for operational purposes, risk management,
public security, standard setting, for long term records and other public
good. The work may require expensive equipment and infrastructure not
available in universities or industry, and involve data archiving arrangements
best provided by government. Many private companies rely on good federal
and academic resources. PAGSE encourages particular attention be paid
to the needs of the public sector and to ensuring that support for this
sector is integrated in the S&T strategy.
Private Sector Participation in R&D
Building research capacity in Canadian industry and in the Canadian
components of transnational corporations is a long term challenge. It
also implies support for fundamental research - the context within which
targeted research can flourish. Canada has significant areas of industrial
research strength; however most companies have relied on research conducted
in Canadian universities, federal departments or industrial laboratories
abroad. As a result, many companies lack the culture and structure for
well-developed research facilities and personnel and require clear incentives
to build this capacity. An important factor in attracting foreign companies
to invest in research in Canada is the existence of an outstanding science
and technology infrastructure. Tax incentives help ensure that laboratories
are up to date, well maintained and have the required technical support.
The private sector already benefits from a number of tax advantages,
though these have not always succeeded in stimulating industrial R&D:
indeed some federal measures for a regulatory environment to stimulate
a competitive marketplace have been completely inadequate and could
be re-examined.
PAGSE recognizes that private sector companies increasingly
collaborate with the public and academic sectors through strategic alliances,
research networks and partnerships. Collaborative research among sectors
involves sharing of costs (financial leverage) and results, and is often
more exploratory than purely industrial work; at the same time, the
critical mass achieved, the multidisciplinary approach and the interaction
between generators and users of information ensures considerable added
value for all parties. Nonetheless, firms often find it harder to capture
the benefits of the work and may limit their investments.
Improved synergies are needed between industrial and other
R&D performing sectors, to enhance the environment for research
within the country and to ensure a sustained supply o skilled personnel
from our universities and colleges – innovative people developed
through direct participation in research.
University Participation in R&D
Much of Canada’s expertise resides in its universities, where
it is unconstrained by government or private sector priorities. The
focus of university-led research takes into account trends and needs
within a discipline, the interests and expertise of individuals or research
collaborators, access to facilities, human resources and support, and
the nature and availability of research funding.
Most grants are for five years or less, or tied to institutional
priorities, which can limit major, multi-institutional or multi-sectoral
initiatives. Support levels must be internationally competitive to attract
and retain the best scientists. The academic sector also requires improved
support for research overheads/indirect costs: the federal indirect
costs formula for university research is tied funding from federal granting
councils; it could be expanded to include support for peer-reviewed
research from federally-funded foundations.
Transfers of Federal Laboratories
The selective transfer of non-regulatory federal government laboratories
to universities and the establishment of industry-led Networks of Centres
of Excellence are steps towards greater balance. Laboratory transfers
must take appropriate governance and intellectual property measures
into account; and must not compromise support for the vital public service
function of federal laboratories or the ability of the granting councils
and foundations to support university-based research. Consideration
must also be given to the consequences for funding agencies and foundations,
when faced with funding requests from federal scientists who have been
granted adjunct academic status. PAGSE suggests that transfers of laboratories
be effected in parallel with increased funding for university-based
research.
The establishment of industry-led networks must be accompanied
by legislation or tools to encourage private sector investment in R&D
and the sharing of intellectual property.
The S&T strategy correctly identifies “promoting
world-class excellence” as a core principle. There is, however,
a mismatch between Canada’s international (bilateral) commitments
and reputation, and its ability to fully participate in and influence
international partnerships and international science programs. Federal
departments frequently lack the resources to match the commitment of
their partners to negotiated bilateral agreements; this weakens Canada’s
desirability as a strategic partner. Fiscal restraints have also affected
the ability of many federal departments to support travel, meetings
and other costs of partnerships.
PAGSE recommends that implementation of the S&T strategy
incorporate support to allow Canada to promote its scientific expertise
internationally and to benefit from S&T on the world scene. It proposes
an International Opportunities Fund, to empower Canadians to partner
on international initiatives for research and technology development.
PAGSE endorses the S&T strategy. Measures are required
to develop synergies among R&D performing sectors, to improve the
environment for research within the country and to ensure a sustained
supply of skilled personnel from our universities and colleges –
people trained through direct participation in research. A vigorous
research environment within our institutions of higher learning is essential
to achieving this goal. Fundamental research serves as the cornerstone
of work in all three R&D performing sectors and is a key to successful
implementation of the strategy.
Transfers of federal laboratories to universities should
be conducted in parallel with increased funding for university-based
research and for the vital public service function of federal laboratories.
A balance of support and incentives is required across
sectors to achieve / maintain excellence and complementarity, and to
encourage a higher level of industrial research. Incentives should be
introduced in some areas, including promotion of Canadian leadership
and involvement in international science programs and initiatives.
Posted: April 17, 2008
