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Research and Development Personnel, 1997 to 2006

  1. In 2006, a total of 226,250 full-time personnel were engaged in research and development (R&D) activities in Canada, up 4.2% over the previous year. Between 1997 and 2006, this number increased by 55.3% (Table 1-1).
  2. Researchers accounted for 62% of total R&D personnel, while technicians comprised one-quarter and support staff 13% (Table 3-2).
  3. The business enterprise sector employed the majority of R&D personnel in Canada. In 2006, 66% of R&D personnel were employed by business enterprises, followed by 25% in the higher education sector and 8% in government (combined federal and provincial) (Table 1-1).
  4. The vast majority (90%) of the increase in R&D personnel from 2005 to 2006 occurred in the business enterprise sector. Technicians accounted for over half (56%) of the 9,060 additional R&D personnel in 2006 (Table 1-1 and 3-2).
  5. Ontario and Quebec have the largest number of R&D personnel in Canada. In 2006, three-quarters of total R&D personnel were located in Ontario (45%) and Quebec (31%). The majority of the remaining R&D personnel worked in British Columbia (9%) and Alberta (7%) (Table 2-1).