Statistics Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Spending on research and development
Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.
Total spending on research and development (R&D) in Canada is projected to increase slightly in 2007, according to preliminary estimates.
R&D spending is anticipated to reach nearly $29.0 billion in 2007, up 3.3% from the estimated $28.1 billion in 2006.
The higher education sector is projected to account for half ($459 million) of the anticipated overall growth of $917 million. The business enterprise sector will likely account for 45%, or $413 million, of the increase (correction).
The intentions indicate that the business enterprise sector will continue to be the largest R&D performer. Its investment will amount to $15.8 billion, followed by the higher education sector at $10.4 billion.
Combined, these two sectors should continue to perform 90% of total R&D in 2007, as they have been since 2003.
The value of the federal government's R&D performance is expected to increase by $40 million, or 1.7%, to reach $2.3 billion.
In terms of R&D funding, business enterprises are expected to account for nearly 48% of the total funding. The federal government will continue to be the second largest funder, accounting for almost 19% of the total.
Figures on provincial distribution of R&D spending are available up to 2005. Two provinces posted major increases in their provincial gross domestic expenditure on research and development between 2004 and 2005: Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island.
In four provinces—Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba—the higher education sector performed over half of the total R&D in 2005. In Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, business enterprises performed over half.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 4201, 4204, 4208, 4209, 4210, 4212 and 5109.
The article, "Total spending on research and development in Canada, 1993 to 2007, and provinces, 1996 to 2005," is now available in the service bulletin Science Statistics, Vol. 31, no. 8 (88-001-XWE, free), from the Publications module of our website.
For more detailed information, or to enquire about the methods, concepts or data quality of this release, contact Michael Lynch, (613-951-2201; michael.lynch@statcan.gc.ca) or Louise Earl, (613-951-2880; louise.earl@statcan.gc.ca), Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division.
