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Highlights

Federal government expenditures on scientific activities, 2007/2008 (intentions)

1. The federal government’s spending on science and technology is expected to reach $9.5 billion in the fiscal year 2007/2008, after surpassing $9 billion in 2005/2006. Research and development will be the main beneficiary of this federal investment. (Table 3-1 )
2. A survey of science and technology activities of federal departments and agencies shows that intended spending on research and development for 2007/2008 will be an estimated $6.1 billion. Related scientific activities such as scientific and general data collection and information services will receive $3.5 billion. (Table 3-1 )
3. As a result, science and technology will account for about 4.5% of the total federal government budget in 2007/2008, compared with 5.1% two years earlier. (Table 1-1 )
4. Federal science and technology spending will contract slightly in 2007/2008, from $9.7 billion in 2006/2007 to $9.5 billion. This decline will occur in related scientific activities. However, indications are that federal research and development spending will hold steady. (Table 3-1 )
5. Almost half (48%) of federal science and technology investment in 2007/2008 will be performed outside the federal government with the majority (80%) of this funding directed towards natural sciences and engineering. (Table 3-2 )
6. The higher education sector will receive $2.9 billion and Canadian business enterprises $1.1 billion to fund science and technology activities this year. (Table 3-2 )
7. The higher education sector will receive $2.6 billion, while the federal government departments and agencies will receive $2.3 billion to conduct research and development. (Table 4-1 )
8. Intentions for direct federal funding of research and development by Canadian business enterprises are down slightly from $791 million in 2005/2006 to $733 in 2007/2008. (Table 4-1 )