The road to AgZero (PDF, 816.94 KB)

Information for respondents

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Completion of this questionnaire is a legal requirement under this Act.

Survey purpose

This survey collects the financial and operating data which are essential to assure the availability of pertinent statistical information to monitor science and technology related activities in Canada and to support the development of science and technology policy. The data collected are used by federal and provincial science policy analysts and are also part of the gross domestic expenditures on research and development (GERD). Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Fax or e-mail transmission disclosure

Statistics Canada advises you that there could be a risk of disclosure during the transmission of information by facsimile or e-mail. However, upon receipt, Statistics Canada will provide the guaranteed level of protection afforded all information collected under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Confidentiality

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Data sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes.

Information on data-sharing agreements and record linkages can be found at the end of this questionnaire.

Authority to publish

I hereby authorize Statistics Canada to disclose any or all portions of the data supplied on this questionnaire that could identify this department after the tabling of the forecast year Main Estimates.

• Yes
• No

Respondent Information

• Name of person authorized to sign
• Signature
• Official position
• Program
• Department or agency
• E-mail address
• Telephone number

Enquiries to be directed to:

• Name
• Date
• Position title
• Telephone number
• E-mail address
• Fax number

Question 1A. Expenditures by activity and performer - fiscal year A (reference year)

Please indicate expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) by activity and/or performer.

In this question both intramural and extramural expenditures are requested for research and development (R&D) and for related scientific activities (RSA). Extramural expenditures are allocated to the following sectors: business enterprise, higher education, Canadian non-profit institutions, Provincial and municipal governments, and foreign performers.

Definitions of natural sciences and engineering, scientific and technological (S&T) activities, R&D, RSA and Extramural performers can be found in the Respondent Guide following the survey questions.

Activity and/or performer are requested for the following categories:

I. Research and experimental development (R&D) - Current expenditures

1. In-house R&D
2. R&D contracts
3. R&D grants and contributions
4. Research fellowships
5. Administration of extramural programs
6. Capital expenditures

II. Related scientific activities (RSA) - Current expenditures

7. In-house RSA
8. RSA contracts
9. RSA grants and contributions
10. Administration of extramural programs
11. Capital expenditures

Question 1B. Expenditures by activity and performer – fiscal year B (planned expenditures)

Please indicate expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) by activity and/or performer.

In this question both intramural and extramural expenditures are requested for research and development (R&D) and for related scientific activities (RSA). Extramural expenditures are allocated to the following sectors: business enterprise, higher education, Canadian non-profit institutions, Provincial and municipal governments, and foreign performers.

Activity and/or performer are requested for the following categories:

I. Research and experimental development (R&D) - Current expenditures

1. In-house R&D
2. R&D contracts
3. R&D grants and contributions
4. Research fellowships
5. Administration of extramural programs
6. Capital expenditures

II. Related scientific activities (RSA) - Current expenditures

7. In-house RSA
8. RSA contracts
9. RSA grants and contributions
10. Administration of extramural programs
11. Capital expenditures

Question 1C. Expenditures by activity and performer – fiscal year C (intentions)

Please indicate expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) by activity and/or performer.

In this question both intramural and extramural expenditures are requested for research and development (R&D) and for related scientific activities (RSA). Extramural expenditures are allocated to the following sectors: business enterprise, higher education, Canadian non-profit institutions, Provincial and municipal governments, and foreign performers.

Activity and/or performer are requested for the following categories:

I. Research and experimental development (R&D) - Current expenditures

1. In-house R&D
2. R&D contracts
3. R&D grants and contributions
4. Research fellowships
5. Administration of extramural programs
6. Capital expenditures

II. Related scientific activities (RSA) - Current expenditures

7. In-house RSA
8. RSA contracts
9. RSA grants and contributions
10. Administration of extramural programs
11. Capital expenditures

Question 2A. Personnel in full-time equivalent for intramural scientific and technological activities in the social sciences, humanities and the arts, fiscal year A (reference year)

Please indicate personnel, measured in full-time equivalents, engaged in R&D, RSA, or in the administration of extramural R&D and/or RSA programs for the following categories:

• Scientific and professional (include executive)
• Technical
• Other

Note that definitions of full-time equivalents and personnel categories are located in the Respondent Guide following the survey questions.

Question 2B. Personnel in full-time equivalent for intramural scientific and technological activities in the social sciences, humanities and the arts, fiscal year B (planned)

Please indicate personnel, measured in full-time equivalents, engaged in R&D, RSA, or in the administration of extramural R&D and/or RSA programs for the following categories:

• Scientific and professional (include executive)
• Technical
• Other

Question 2C. Personnel in full-time equivalent for intramural scientific and technological activities in the social sciences, humanities and the arts, fiscal year C (intentions)

Please indicate personnel, measured in full-time equivalents, engaged in R&D, RSA, or in the administration of extramural R&D and/or RSA programs for the following categories:

• Scientific and professional (include executive)
• Technical
• Other

Question 3A (i). Transfers for social sciences, humanities and the arts activities – fiscal year A (reference year)

In this question, transfers for science and technology (S&T) expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) are requested – note that the sum of R&D and RSA represents the total S&T. Two types of transfers are requested: "Into" the program (dollar amounts originating from other federal department or agencies) and "From" the program (dollar amounts toward other federal department or agencies).

Question 3A (ii). Sources of funds for total scientific and technological activities in the social sciences, humanities and the arts, fiscal years A, B and C

Please indicate the sources of funds by year from the following:

1. Departmental S&T budget (operating and capital and grants and contributions)
2. Revenues to / from other federal departments
   1. Total transferred into this program
   2. Total transferred from this program
3. Provincial government departments
4. Business enterprises
5. Other (please specify)

Question 4. Scientific and technological expenditures by socio-economic objective - fiscal year A (reference year)

Please categorize S&T expenditures by socio-economic objective (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars), for both Intramural and Extramural performers and by R&D and RSA. The total must equal the total expenditures in question 1A.

Socio-economic objectives are divided into the following 12 categories:

1. Exploration and exploitation of the Earth
2. Environment
3. Exploration and exploitation of space
4. Transport, telecommunication and other infrastructures
5. Energy
6. Industrial production and technology
7. Health
8. Agriculture (include forestry and fisheries)
9. Education
10. Culture, recreation, religion and mass media
11. Political and social systems, structures and processes
12. Defence

Question 5. Expenditures and personnel of scientific and technological establishments engaged in activities in the social sciences, humanities and the arts, fiscal year A (reference year)

In this question, expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) and personnel data (measured in full-time equivalents) are requested for intramural R&D and RSA by Canadian regions. Intramural expenditures are separated into current and capital. Personnel is separated into scientific and professional and total.

Sums must equal total intramural expenditures and personnel of questions 1A and 2A (reference year).

Payments to extramural performers for scientific activities -Annex to Question 1A (reference year) – Detailed Extramural listing

Departments and agencies of the federal government are asked to identify the extramural payment (payments made outside of the federal government administration) recipients for scientific activities.

We are requesting a detailed listing of the recipients of federal payments made in connection with a scientific activity.

Expenditures reported on this submission should be equal to the extramural expenditures declared in question 1A, by sector and activity, reported on the current Federal science expenditures and personnel (FSEP) questionnaire.

Please provide us with a list of science payments, including:

1. Name and address of the organization or individual receiving the payment;
2. Field of science: social or natural;
3. Type of payment: contract or grant/contribution;
4. Activity carried out by the performer: research and experimental development (R&D) or related scientific activity (RSA);
5. Performing sectors include business enterprise (BE), higher education (HE), Canadian non-profit institutions (NP), provincial and municipal governments (GO) and foreign performers (FP);
6. Amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars;
7. Business number

Note: the purchase of goods and services to support in-house R&D or RSA are to be treated as an in-house intramural expenditure.

Some Guidelines:

(1) Support or service contracts

Support or service contracts should not be included with extramural payments. They are defined as contracts to an outside institution or individual to provide goods or services necessary to support in-house R&D programs and should be reported as an in-house R&D or in-house RSA expenditure in this questionnaire. Examples are contracts with data processing firms for computing services, maintenance contracts for R&D facilities, or procurement contracts for specialized equipment which is not considered capital.

(2) Discrepancies

Reasons for significant fluctuations in expenditures or personnel between the years reported for this survey are requested to be explained in the 'change report'. Also written explanation is requested if the reference year data is significantly different from what was reported in the previous Federal Science Expenditure and Personnel survey.

Please forward the completed questionnaire and listing of extramural performers through the Electronic File Transfer service (EFT)

For further inquiries:
Phone Number: toll free at 1-888-659-8229
Fax number: toll free at 1-800-755-5514
E-mail: statcan.fsepsurv-enqdmsf.statcan@statcan.gc.ca

Your participation is greatly appreciated and will contribute to providing useful information on federal S&T expenditures. You will be able to access the results through "The Daily" and Tables 27-10- 0005-01 to 27-10-0014-01 and Tables 27-10-0026-01 to 27-10- 0029-01 on Statistics Canada's web site. The data will also be available on Science.gc.ca.

Thank you for your co-operation

End of questionnaire

Respondent Guide

Introduction

This introduction is intended to provide an overview of the process of collecting science expenditure data; definitions of and explanatory notes on natural sciences and engineering, social sciences, humanities and the arts, scientific and technological activities, performance sectors, and other terms used are given in subsequent sections.

The collection of science expenditure data is organized by the Investment, Science and Technology Division (ISTD) of Statistics Canada. This exercise was formerly conducted under the aegis of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat but is now solely a Statistics Canada survey.

Collection is undertaken to gather essential data describing the recent, current and proposed state of the federal resources allocated to science. Federal science expenditures data are provided to Innovation, Science and economic Development Canada who in turn use the data in the development of advice to the Assistant Deputy Ministers' Steering Committee on the Management of S&T, their Minister and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, as well as in policy development and in monitoring the implementation of science policies. Statistics Canada maintains historical expenditure series in natural sciences and engineering dating back to 1963 and to 1971 in the social sciences, humanities and the arts. These data are available through the Investment, Science and Technology Division (ISTD) or through special requests.

The basic reporting unit is the budgetary program of a department or agency. Each budgetary program forms the subject of separate scientific expenditure reports for the natural and for the social science activities within it. Both the program and the program activities within it may be scientific in whole or in part only. Only expenditures on the scientific components of a program or its activity are reported. In some programs it will be difficult to distinguish between the natural and social sciences. However, some allocation must be made and in determining this allocation, the dominant orientation of the projects and the area of expertise of the personnel involved must be considered. Detailed definitions are given lower.

On the questionnaires, the identified expenditures are looked at from several different viewpoints and in various subdivisions. Expenditures on research and development (R&D) and related scientific activities (RSA) are subdivided to provide an indication of the "what" of a department's scientific effort. Expenditures in each category of scientific activity are further subdivided into "current" and "capital" segments. Current expenditures are additionally subdivided by sector, to indicate the "where" and "by whom" the activity is performed (e.g., in business enterprise, in higher education).

The human resources allocated to scientific activities are summarized in terms of the involved categories of personnel (scientific and professional, technical, etc.) and the principal focus of their efforts (R&D, RSA and, administration of extramural programs).

When completed, checked for consistency with previous reports, entered into the database and totaled along the various dimensions, these data provide snapshots of the federal resources allocated to science, supporting not only the work of central agencies but also the submissions of departments and agencies requesting resources.

General

This guide consists of definitions/explanations for terms used in the questionnaire.

The social sciences, humanities and the arts consists of disciplines involving the study of human actions and conditions and the social, economic and institutional mechanisms affecting humans. Included are such disciplines as arts, economics and business, education, history and archeology, law, language and linguistics, media and communications, philosophy, ethics and religion, psychology and cognitive sciences, social and economic geography and, sociology.

The natural sciences and engineering consist of disciplines concerned with understanding, exploring, developing or utilizing the natural world. Included are the engineering and technology, mathematical, computer and information sciences, physical sciences, medical and health science, and agricultural sciences, veterinary sciences and forestry.

1. Expenditures by activity and performer

The questionnaire covers three consecutive fiscal years and the headings of all three are identical. One set of definitions/explanations therefore suffices.

Actual and planned expenditures on scientific and technological activities are to be classified according to the type of scientific activity and the performance sector in which the activities were or will be conducted.

Scientific and technological (S&T) activities can be defined as all systematic activities which are closely concerned with the generation, advancement, dissemination and application of scientific and technical knowledge in all fields of science and technology, that is, the natural sciences and engineering, and the social sciences, humanities and the arts. The central activity is scientific research and experimental development (R&D). In addition there are a number of activities closely related to R&D, and are termed related scientific activities (RSA). Those identified as being appropriate for the federal government in the natural sciences and engineering are: scientific data collection, information services, special services and studies and education support.

The performer is equivalent to the sector in which the scientific activity is conducted. The basic distinction is between intramural and extramural performance. Extramural payments are classified on the basis of the performance sectors to which they are made. The appropriate extramural performers are business enterprise, higher education, Canadian non-profit institutions, provincial and municipal governments, and foreign performers.

I. Performers

Intramural activities include all current expenditures incurred for scientific activities carried out by in-house personnel of units assigned to the program; the related gross fixed capital expenditures (acquisition of land, buildings, machinery and equipment for scientific activities); the administration of scientific activities by program employees; and the purchase of goods and services to support in-house scientific activities (include royalties or licences for the use of patents and other intellectual property rights, the lease of capital goods (machinery and equipment, etc.) and the rental of buildings to support scientific activities performed by the statistical unit in the reference year).

The intramural expenditures reported for scientific activities are those direct costs, including salaries, associated with scientific programs. The costs should include that portion of a program's contribution to employee benefit plans (e.g., superannuation and compensation) which is applicable to the scientific personnel within the program. The summation of intramural R&D activity is synonymous with the performance of R&D for the entire economy (GERD).

Extramural performers are groups being funded by the federal government sector for S&T activities. In this survey the extramural performers include:

Business enterprise – business and government enterprises including public utilities and government-owned firms. Both financial and non-financial corporations are included. Incorporated consultants or unincorporated individuals providing scientific and engineering services are also included. Industrial research institutes located at Canadian universities are considered to be in the higher education sector.

Higher education – comprises all universities, colleges of technology and other institutes of post-secondary education, whatever their source of finance or legal status. It also includes teaching hospitals (non-teaching hospitals are in the Canadian non-profit sector) all research institutes, centers, experimental stations and clinics that have their scientific activities under the direct control of, or administered by, or associated with, the higher education establishments.

Canadian non-profit institutions – charitable foundations, voluntary health organizations, scientific and professional societies, non-teaching hospitals (teaching hospitals are in the higher education sector) and other organizations not established to earn profits. Non-profit institutions primarily serving or controlled by another sector should be included in the controlling sector.

Provincial and municipal governments – departments and agencies of these governments as well as provincial research organizations. Government enterprises, such as provincial utilities are included in the business enterprise sector, and non-teaching hospitals in the Canadian non-profit institutions sector.

Foreign performers – all foreign government agencies, foreign companies (including foreign subsidiaries of Canadian firms), international organizations, non-resident foreign nationals and Canadians studying or teaching abroad.

II. Research and experimental development

Research and experimental development (R&D) – comprises creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge.

R&D activities may be aimed at achieving either specific or general objectives. R&D is always aimed at new findings, based on original concepts (and their interpretation) or hypotheses. It is largely uncertain about its final outcome (or at least about the quantity of time and resources needed to achieve it), it is planned for and budgeted (even when carried out by individuals), and it is aimed at producing results that could be either freely transferred or traded in a marketplace.

For an activity to be an R&D activity, it must satisfy five core criteria:

1. To be aimed at new findings (novel);
2. To be based on original, not obvious, concepts and hypothesis (creative);
3. To be uncertain about the final outcome (uncertainty);
4. To be planned and budgeted (systematic);
5. To lead to results that could be possibly reproduced (transferable/or reproducible).

Examples of R&D:

• A review of theories on the factors determining regional disparities in economic growth.
• Understanding the fundamental dynamics of spatial interactions.
• Comparative evaluations of national education programs aimed at reducing the learning gap experienced by disadvantaged communities.
• Research studies analyzing the spatial-temporal patterns in the transmission and diffusion of an infectious disease outbreak.

Both "research" and "development" are often used with different meanings in the government. For example, it is increasingly common to hear that a person is "researching" something (i.e. the person is looking for information about something). Similarly, there are many units with either "research" or "development" or both terms in their titles which are concerned primarily with information gathering, speech writing and preparation of position papers. These should be excluded from the scientific activity of R&D. On the other hand, a case study on unemployment in a specific region, if applying original techniques in interviewing survey respondents could include such data collection in its R&D effort.

From a broad perspective, to the extent that the social sciences are using empirical data, the same guidelines have to be applied as for the natural sciences (although excluding the testing of their results on an experimental basis).

Many social scientists perform work in which they bring the established methodologies and facts of the social sciences and humanities to bear upon a particular problem, but which cannot be classified as research. The following are examples of work which might be included in this category and are not R&D: interpretative commentary on the probable economic effects of a change in the tax structure using existing economic data; forecasting future changes in the pattern of the demand for social services within a given area arising from an altered demographic structure; operations research as a contribution to decision-making, e.g. planning the optimal distribution system for a factory; the use of standard techniques in applied psychology to select and classify industrial and military personnel, students, etc., and to test children with reading or other disabilities.

Item 1. In-house R&D – R&D performed by personnel of the reporting program. It may include R&D carried out on behalf of another program or federal government department.

In-house R&D activities include all current expenditures incurred for scientific activities carried out by in-house personnel of units assigned to the program, the purchase of goods and services to support in-house scientific activities (include royalties or licences for the use of patents and other intellectual property rights, and the rental of buildings to support scientific activities performed by the statistical unit in the reference year). Also include expenses of persons who provide ancillary services such as security, cleaning and maintenance work, finance and administration that are related and proportional to the R&D being conducted. However, the personnel providing these services are not to be included in the in-house personnel counts (see Section 2. Personnel).

Include the costs of self-employed individuals, consultants and researchers not employed by the statistical unit's R&D activities, who are working on-site on the departments' R&D projects.

The intramural expenditures reported to R&D are those direct costs, including salaries, associated with scientific programs. The cost should include that portion of a program's contribution to employee benefit plans (e.g., superannuation and compensation) which is applicable to the scientific personnel within the program.

Item 2. R&D contracts – R&D contracts to an outside institution or individual to fund R&D performed by the institution or individual. The criterion is: would the performer report the R&D contract as in-house (intramural) R&D that is government-funded? If the answer is yes the activity would be an R&D contract. If no, and the funding is to provide goods and services necessary to support the in-house R&D of the federal government it should be reported as In-house R&D (Item 1).

Contracts to other federal government departments should be reported as a transfer of funds in question 3A (i) and 3A (ii) of the questionnaire.

Item 3. R&D grants and contributions – awards to organizations or individuals for the conduct of R&D and intended to benefit the recipients rather than provide the program with goods, services or information. These funds are normally identical to that portion of the budgetary "grants and contributions" line object of expenditure which is devoted to R&D activities.

Item 4. Research fellowships – awards to individuals for advanced research training and experience. Awards intended primarily to support the education of the recipients should be reported as "education support".

Item 5. Administration of extramural programs – the costs of identifiable units engaged in the administration of contracts and grants and contributions for scientific activities that are to be performed outside the federal government. These expenditures should be broken down by the type of scientific activity supported, i.e. R&D or RSA.

Item 6. Capital expenditures – the annual gross amount paid for the acquisition of fixed assets that are used repeatedly or continuously in the performance of scientific activities for more than one year. They should be reported in full for the period when they took place, whether acquired or developed in house, and should not be registered as an element of depreciation.

The most relevant types of assets used for capital expenditures are:

• Land and buildings
• Machinery and equipment
• Capitalized computer software
• Other intellectual property products

III. Related scientific activities

Related scientific activities (RSA) are all systematic activities which are closely concerned with the generation, advancement, dissemination and application of scientific and technological knowledge. The types of related scientific activities for the natural sciences and engineering are described below.

General purpose data collection – the routine gathering, processing, collating and analyzing and publication of information on human phenomena using surveys, regular and special investigations and compilations of existing records. It excludes data collected primarily for internal administrative purposes (e.g. departmental personnel statistics) as well as the collection of data as part of an R&D project.

Data collected as part of an existing or proposed research project are charged to research. Similarly, the costs of analyzing existing data as part of a research project are R&D costs, even when the data were originally collected for some other purpose. The development of new techniques for data collection is also to be considered a research activity. The institutions involved are generally the statistical bureaus of Canadian governments and the statistical sections of departments and agencies. If there are units whose principal activity is R&D, their costs and personnel should be assigned to R&D; specialized libraries with separate budgets should be assigned to information services.

Information services – all work directed to collecting, coding, analyzing, evaluating, recording, classifying, translating and disseminating scientific and technological information as well as museum services. Included are the operations of scientific and technical libraries, S&T consulting and advisory services, the Patent Office, the publication of scientific journals and monographs, and the organizing of scientific conferences. Grants for the publication of scholarly works are also included.

General purpose information services or information services directed primarily towards the general public are excluded, as are general departmental and public libraries. When individual budgets exist, the costs of libraries which belong to institutions otherwise entirely classified to another activity, such as R&D, should be assigned to information services. The costs of printing and distributing reports from another activity, such as R&D, are normally attributed to that activity.

Sub category under Information services:

Museum services – the collecting, cataloguing and displaying of specimens of the natural world or of representations of natural phenomena. The activity involves a systematic attempt to preserve and display items from the natural world; in some ways it could be considered an extension of information services. The scientific activities of natural history museums, zoological and botanical gardens, aquaria, planetaria and nature reserves are included. Parks which are not primarily restricted reserves for certain fauna or flora are excluded. In all cases the costs of providing entertainment and recreation to visitors should be excluded (e.g. restaurants, children's gardens and museums).

When a museum also covers not only natural history but also aspects of human cultural activities, the museum's resources should be appropriated between the natural and social sciences. However, museums of science and technology, war, etc., which display synthetic or artificial objects and may also illustrate the operations of certain technologies, should be considered as engaged in museum services in social sciences.

Special services and studies – work directed towards the establishment of national and provincial standards for materials, devices, products and processes; the calibration of secondary standards; non-routine quality testing; feasibility studies and demonstration projects.

Sub categories under Special services and studies include:

Economic and feasibility studies – the investigation of the socio-economic characteristics and implications of specific situations. In the social sciences, feasibility studies are investigations of the socio-economic characteristics and implications of specific situations (e.g. a study of the variability of a petrochemical complex in a certain region). note that feasibility studies on research projects are part of R&D.

Operations and policy-related studies – covers a range of activities, such as the analysis and assessment of the existing programs, policies and operations of government departments and other in institutions; the work of units concerned with the continuing analysis and monitoring of external phenomena (e.g. defence and security analysis); and the work of legislative commissions of inquiry concerned with general government or departmental policy or operations.

Any activity aimed at providing close support to policy actions, as well as to legislative activity, should be included as a related scientific activity (RSA). This includes policy advice and relations with the media, legal advice, public relations or even technical support for the administrative activity (e.g. accounting).

Research activities aimed at providing the decision makers with a thorough knowledge of social, economic or natural phenomena have to be included in R&D. These R&D activities are usually performed by skilled personnel – researchers – in small teams of experts and consultants and meet the standard academic criteria for scientific work (in addition to the R&D criteria).

Education support – grants to individuals or institutions on behalf of individuals which are intended to support the post-secondary education of students in technology and the natural sciences. General operating or capital grants are excluded. The activity includes the support of foreign students in their studies of the natural sciences at Canadian or foreign institutions. Grants intended primarily to support the research of individuals at universities are either R&D grants or research fellowships.

Awards intended primarily to support the education of the recipients should be reported as "education support".

Item 7. In-house RSA – RSA performed by personnel of the reporting program. It may include RSA carried out on behalf of another program or federal government department.

In-house RSA activities include all current expenditures incurred for scientific activities carried out by in-house personnel of units assigned to the program; the purchase of goods and services to support in-house scientific activities (include royalties or licences for the use of patents and other intellectual property rights, and the rental of buildings to support scientific activities performed by the statistical unit in the reference year). Also include expenses of persons who provide ancillary services such as security, cleaning and maintenance work, finance and administration that are proportional to the RSA being conducted. However, the personnel providing these services are not to be included in the in-house personnel counts (see Section 2. Personnel).

The intramural expenditures reported to RSA are those direct costs, including salaries, associated with scientific programs. The cost should include that portion of a program's contribution to employee benefit plans (e.g., superannuation and compensation) which is applicable to the scientific personnel within the program. Also include the costs of self-employed individuals, consultants and researchers who are working on-site on the departments' RSA projects.

Item 8. RSA contracts – contracts to an outside institution or individual to fund RSA performed by the institution or individual. The criterion is: would the performer report the RSA contract as in-house (intramural) RSA that is government-funded? If the answer is yes the activity would be an RSA contract. If no, and the funding is for the purchase goods and services to support the in-house RSA of the federal government department, it should be reported as In-house RSA (Item 7).

Contracts to other federal government departments should be reported as a transfer of funds in question 3A (i) and 3A (ii) of the questionnaire.

Item 9. RSA grants and contributions – awards to organizations or individuals for the conduct of RSA and intended to benefit the recipients rather than provide the program with goods, services or information. These funds are normally identical to that portion of the budgetary "grants and contributions" line object of expenditure which is devoted to RSA.

Item 10. Administration of extramural programs – the costs of identifiable units engaged in the administration of contracts and grants and contributions for scientific activities that are to be performed outside the federal government. These expenditures should be broken down by the type of scientific activity supported, i.e. R&D or RSA.

Item 11. Capital expenditures – the annual gross amount paid for the acquisition of fixed assets that are used repeatedly or continuously in the performance of scientific activities for more than one year. They should be reported in full for the period when they took place, whether acquired or developed in house, and should not be registered as an element of depreciation.

The most relevant types of assets used for capital expenditures are:

• Land and buildings
• Machinery and equipment
• Capitalized computer software
• Other intellectual property products

2. Personnel

Personnel data are collected for intramural scientific activities only. A head count of personnel working on intramural scientific activities is not requested, rather the amount of time a worker dedicates to scientific and technological activities during a specific reference period as a percentage of the total number of hours conventionally worked in the same period. This is noted as full-time equivalent research and development personnel or full-time equivalent related scientific activity personnel. For example, an employee who is engaged in scientific activities for half a year has a full-time equivalence of 0.5. Personnel data reported should be consistent with expenditure data.

Most intramural scientific activities are performed primarily by persons employed by the department or agency. Extramural personnel contributing directly to the intramural scientific activities of the department or agency that are located on site should also be included in the personnel counts.

Not all of the personnel contributing to or facilitating the performance of scientific activities are to be included in the personnel totals. Individuals undertaking indirect support or ancillary activities are excluded. For example specific services to R&D or RSA provided by central computer department and libraries; services by central finance and human resources departments dealing with R&D or RSA projects; provision of services for security, cleaning, maintenance, canteens, etc. to R&D or RSA performing units. These services are not included in the intramural scientific activities personnel totals, however their related costs should be included with in-house expenditures.

Scientific and professional – researchers and professionals engaged in the conception or creation of new knowledge. They conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories, models, techniques instrumentation, software or operational methods. They require at least one academic degree or nationally recognized professional qualification, as well as those with equivalent experience.

Technical – technicians and equivalent staff are persons whose main tasks require technical knowledge and experience in one or more fields of engineering, the physical and life sciences, or the social sciences, humanities and the arts. They perform scientific and technical tasks involving the application of concepts and operational methods and the use of research equipment, normally under the supervision of researchers.

Other – other supporting staff include skilled and unskilled craftsmen, and administrative, secretarial and clerical staff participating in science and technology projects or directly associated with such projects.

3A (i). Transfers for social sciences, humanities and the arts activities

Include payments or recipients for contracts, transfers and joint programs from/to other federal government departments. Please identify the amount and names of the origination and recipient programs.

3A (ii). Sources of funds for total scientific and technological activities

This question identifies the sources of funds for expenditures on scientific activities reported for all three years. It will help to ensure that work funded from outside the department is not overlooked.

Departmental S&T budget – that portion of the total departmental budget which was spent on natural science and engineering activities.

Revenues to / from other federal departments – money transferred from this program to another federal department or money transferred into this program from another federal department for activities in the natural sciences and engineering.

Provincial government departments – all funds from the provincial government used for natural science and engineering activities. The funds are referred to as payments, contributions, transfers, etc. Also include provincial portions of federal-provincial cost sharing programs performed by the department program.

Business enterprises – all funds from business enterprises used for natural science and engineering activities performed by the department.

Other – all funds for natural sciences and engineering activities from other sources not specified above.

4. Scientific and technological expenditures by socio-economic objectives

Socio-economic objectives allow departments to classify their S&T resource allocations according to the purpose for which the expenditure is intended. In many cases, projects have multiple objectives and a department should assign its expenditures consistent with the stated objectives of the department. Care must be taken to avoid "double counting".

The objectives are based on the European Union classification adopted by Eurostat for the Nomenclature for the Analysis and Comparison of Scientific Programmes and Budgets (NABS) at the one-digit level.

1. Exploration and exploitation of the Earth

Exploration and exploitation of the Earth - covers scientific activities with objectives related to the exploration of the Earth's crust and mantle, seas, oceans and atmosphere, as well as for scientific activities on their exploitation. It also includes climatic and meteorological research, polar exploration and hydrology. It does not include scientific activities related to soil improvement (objective 4), land use or fishing (objective 8), or pollution (objective 2).

2. Environment

Environment - covers scientific activities aimed at improving the control of pollution, including the identification and analysis of the sources of pollution and their causes, and all pollutants, including their dispersal in the environment and the effects on humans, species (fauna, flora, micro-organisms) and the biosphere.

The development of monitoring facilities for the measurement of all kinds of pollution is included, as is scientific activities for the elimination and prevention of all forms of pollution in all types of environment.

3. Exploration and exploitation of space

Exploration and exploitation of space - covers all civil space scientific activities relating to the scientific exploration of space, space laboratories, space travel and launch systems. Although civil space scientific activities is not in general concerned with particular objectives, it frequently has a specific goal, such as the advancement of knowledge (e.g. astronomy) or relates to particular applications (e.g. telecommunications satellites or earth observation). This chapter does not include corresponding scientific activities for defence purposes.

4. Transport, telecommunication and other infrastructures

Transport, telecommunication and other infrastructures - covers scientific activities aimed at infrastructure and land development, including the construction of buildings. More generally, this objective covers all scientific activities relating to the general planning of land use. This includes scientific activities into protection against harmful effects in town and country planning but not research into other types of pollution (objective 2). This objective also includes scientific activities related to transport systems; telecommunication systems; general planning of land use; the construction and planning of buildings; civil engineering; and water supply.

5. Energy

Energy - covers scientific activities aimed at improving the production, storage, transportation, distribution and rational use of all forms of energy. It also includes scientific activities on processes designed to increase the efficiency of energy production and distribution, and the study of energy conservation. It does not include scientific activities related to prospecting (objective 1) or scientific activities into vehicle and engine propulsion (objective 6).

6. Industrial production and technology

Industrial production and technology - covers scientific activities aimed at the improvement of industrial production and technology, including scientific activities on industrial products and their manufacturing processes, except where they form an integral part of the pursuit of other objectives (e.g. defence, space, energy, agriculture).

7. Health

Health - covers scientific activities aimed at protecting, promoting and restoring human health broadly interpreted to include health aspects of nutrition and food hygiene. It ranges from preventive medicine, including all aspects of medical and surgical treatment, both for individuals and groups, and the provision of hospital and home care, to social medicine and paediatric and geriatric research.

8. Agriculture (include forestry and fisheries)

Agriculture - covers all scientific activities aimed at the promotion of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and foodstuff production, or furthering knowledge on chemical fertilisers, biocides, biological pest control and the mechanisation of agriculture, as well as concerning the impact of agricultural and forestry activities on the environment. This also covers scientific activities aimed at improving food productivity and technology. It does not include the development of rural areas; on the construction and planning of buildings; on the improvement of rural rest and recreation amenities and agricultural water supply (objective 4); on energy measures (objective 5); or on the food industry (objective 6).

9. Education

Education - includes scientific activities aimed at supporting general or special education, including training, pedagogy, didactics, and targeted methods for specially gifted persons or those with learning disabilities. This objective applies to all levels of education, from pre- and primary school through to tertiary education, as well as to subsidiary services to education.

10. Culture, recreation, religion and mass media

Culture, recreation, religion and mass media - includes scientific activities aimed at improving the understanding of social phenomena related to cultural activities, religion and leisure activities so as to define their impact on life in society, as well as to racial and cultural integration and on socio-cultural changes in these areas. The concept of "culture" covers the sociology of science, religion, art, sport and leisure, and also comprises inter alia scientific activities on the media, the mastery of language and social integration, libraries, archives and external cultural policy.

This objective also includes scientific activities related to: recreational and sporting services; cultural services; broadcasting and publishing services; and religious and other community services.

11. Political and social systems, structures and processes

Political and social systems, structures and processes - includes scientific activities aimed at improving the understanding of and supporting the political structure of society; public administration issues and economic policy; regional studies and multi-level governance; social change, social processes and social conflicts; the development of social security and social assistance systems; and the social aspects of the organisation of work. This objective also includes scientific activities related to gender-related social studies, including discrimination and familiar problems; the development of methods of combating poverty at local, national and international level; the protection of specific population categories on the social level (immigrants, delinquents, "drop outs", etc.), on the sociological level, i.e. with regard to their way of life (young people, adults, retired people, disabled people, etc.) and on the economic level (consumers, farmers, fishermen, miners, the unemployed, etc.); and methods of providing social assistance when sudden changes (natural, technological or social) occur in society.

This objective does not include scientific activities related to industrial health, the health control of communities from the organisational and socio-medical point of view, pollution at the place of work, the prevention of industrial accidents and the medical aspects of the causes of industrial accidents (objective 7).

12. Defence

Defence - covers scientific activities for military purposes. It may also include basic research and nuclear and space research when financed by ministries of defence. Civil research financed by ministries of defence, for example in the fields of meteorology, telecommunications and health, should be classified in the relevant objectives.

5. Expenditures and personnel of scientific and technological establishment engaged in activities in the social sciences, humanities and the arts, by region

Since 1978, Statistics Canada has been collecting detailed expenditure and person year data on intramural scientific activities of federal government departments and agencies by region. These data, coupled with data from other surveys, have been used by policy planners in federal and provincial governments, research managers and the media to assess the provincial distribution of science activities in Canada.

We are asking for the information at the regional level. We are also asking for information in both natural science and engineering establishments as well as those performing activities in the social sciences, humanities and the arts, as international gross domestic expenditures on research and development (GERD) statistics include activities in both science fields.

The Canada total expenditures and personnel reported for the actual year must be consistent with data reported on intramural expenditures in question 1A, and total personnel in question 2A.

General information

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to federal departments and agencies located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), as well as the Office of the Chief Science Advisor (OCSA) of ISED.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to federal departments and agencies located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Record linkages

To enhance the data from this survey and to minimize the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine it with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

Please forward the completed questionnaire and listing of extramural performers through the Electronic File Transfer service (EFT).

For further inquiries:

Phone Number: toll free at 1-888-659-8229

Fax number: toll free at 1-800-755-5514

Email: statcan.fsepsurv-enqdmsf.statcan@statcan.gc.ca

Your participation is greatly appreciated and will contribute to providing useful information on federal S&T expenditures. You will be able to access the results through "The Daily" and Tables 27-10- 0005-01 to 27-10-0014-01 and Tables 27-10-0026-01 to 27-10- 0029-01 on Statistics Canada's web site. The data will also be available on Science.gc.ca.

Thank you for your co-operation

Information for Respondents

This information is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Completion of this questionnaire is a legal requirement under this Act.

Survey purpose

This survey collects the financial and operating data which are essential to assure the availability of pertinent statistical information to monitor science and technology related activities in Canada and to support the development of science and technology policy. The data collected are used by federal and provincial science policy analysts and are also part of the gross domestic expenditures on research and development (GERD). Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Fax or e-mail transmission disclosure

Statistics Canada advises you that there could be a risk of disclosure during the transmission of information by facsimile or e-mail. However, upon receipt, Statistics Canada will provide the guaranteed level of protection afforded all information collected under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Confidentiality

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Data sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes.

Information on data-sharing agreements and record linkages can be found at the end of this questionnaire.

Authority to publish

I hereby authorize Statistics Canada to disclose any or all portions of the data supplied on this questionnaire that could identify this department after the tabling of the forecast year Main Estimates.

• Yes
• No

Respondent Information

• Name of person authorized to sign
• Signature
• Official position
• Program
• Department or agency
• E-mail address
• Telephone number

Enquiries to be directed to:

• Name
• Date
• Position title
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Fax number

Question 1A. Expenditures by activity and performer - fiscal year A (reference year)

Please indicate expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) by activity and/or performer.

In this question both intramural and extramural expenditures are requested for research and development (R&D) and for related scientific activities (RSA). Extramural expenditures are allocated to the following sectors: business enterprise, higher education, Canadian non-profit institutions, Provincial and municipal governments, and foreign performers.

Definitions of natural sciences and engineering, scientific and technological (S&T) activities, R&D, RSA and Extramural performers can be found in the Respondent Guide following the survey questions.

Activity and/or performer are requested for the following categories:

I. Research and experimental development (R&D) - Current expenditures

1. In-house R&D
2. R&D contracts
3. R&D grants and contributions
4. Research fellowships
5. Administration of extramural programs
6. Capital expenditures

II. Related scientific activities (RSA) - Current expenditures

7. In-house RSA
8. RSA contracts
9. RSA grants and contributions
10. Administration of extramural programs
11. Capital expenditures

Question 1B. Expenditures by activity and performer – fiscal year B (planned expenditures)

Please indicate expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) by activity and/or performer.

In this question both intramural and extramural expenditures are requested for research and development (R&D) and for related scientific activities (RSA). Extramural expenditures are allocated to the following sectors: business enterprise, higher education, Canadian non-profit institutions, Provincial and municipal governments, and foreign performers.

Activity and/or performer are requested for the following categories:

I. Research and experimental development (R&D) - Current expenditures

1. In-house R&D
2. R&D contracts
3. R&D grants and contributions
4. Research fellowships
5. Administration of extramural programs
6. Capital expenditures

II. Related scientific activities (RSA) - Current expenditures

7. In-house RSA
8. RSA contracts
9. RSA grants and contributions
10. Administration of extramural programs
11. Capital expenditures

Question 1C. Expenditures by activity and performer – fiscal year C (intentions)

Please indicate expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) by activity and/or performer.

In this question both intramural and extramural expenditures are requested for research and development (R&D) and for related scientific activities (RSA). Extramural expenditures are allocated to the following sectors: business enterprise, higher education, Canadian non-profit institutions, Provincial and municipal governments, and foreign performers.

Activity and/or performer are requested for the following categories:

I. Research and experimental development (R&D) - Current expenditures

1. In-house R&D
2. R&D contracts
3. R&D grants and contributions
4. Research fellowships
5. Administration of extramural programs
6. Capital expenditures

II. Related scientific activities (RSA) - Current expenditures

7. In-house RSA
8. RSA contracts
9. RSA grants and contributions
10. Administration of extramural programs
11. Capital expenditures

Question 2A. Personnel in full-time equivalent for intramural scientific and technological activities in the natural sciences and engineering, fiscal year A (reference year)

Please indicate personnel, measured in full-time equivalents, engaged in R&D, RSA, or in the administration of extramural R&D and/or RSA programs for the following categories:

• Scientific and professional (include executive)
• Technical
• Other

Note that definitions of full-time equivalents and personnel categories are located in the Respondent Guide following the survey questions.

Question 2B. Personnel in full-time equivalent for intramural scientific and technological activities in the natural sciences and engineering, fiscal year B (planned)

Please indicate personnel, measured in full-time equivalents, engaged in R&D, RSA, or in the administration of extramural R&D and/or RSA programs for the following categories:

• Scientific and professional (include executive)
• Technical
• Other

Question 2C. Personnel in full-time equivalent for intramural scientific and technological activities in the natural sciences and engineering, fiscal year C (intentions)

Please indicate personnel, measured in full-time equivalents, engaged in R&D, RSA, or in the administration of extramural R&D and/or RSA programs for the following categories:

• Scientific and professional (include executive)
• Technical
• Other

Question 3A (i). Transfers for natural science and engineering activities – fiscal year A (reference year)

In this question, transfers for science and technology (S&T) expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) are requested – note that the sum of R&D and RSA represents the total S&T. Two types of transfers are requested: "Into" the program (dollar amounts originating from other federal department or agencies) and "From" the program (dollar amounts toward other federal department or agencies).

Question 3A (ii). Sources of funds for total scientific and technological activities in the natural sciences and engineering, fiscal years A, B and C

Please indicate the sources of funds by year from the following:

1. Departmental S&T budget (operating and capital and grants and contributions)
2. Revenues to / from other federal departments
   1. Total transferred into this program
   2. Total transferred from this program
3. Provincial government departments
4. Business enterprises
5. Other (please specify)

Question 4. Scientific and technological expenditures by socio-economic objective - fiscal year A (reference year)

Please categorize S&T expenditures by socio-economic objective (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars), for both Intramural and Extramural performers and by R&D and RSA. The total must equal the total expenditures in question 1A.

Socio-economic objectives are divided into the following 12 categories:

1. Exploration and exploitation of the Earth
2. Environment
3. Exploration and exploitation of space
4. Transport, telecommunication and other infrastructures
5. Energy
6. Industrial production and technology
7. Health
8. Agriculture (include forestry and fisheries)
9. Education
10. Culture, recreation, religion and mass media
11. Political and social systems, structures and processes
12. Defence

Question 5. Expenditures and personnel of scientific and technological establishments engaged in activities in the natural sciences and engineering, fiscal year A (reference year)

In this question, expenditures (measured in thousands of Canadian dollars) and personnel data (measured in full-time equivalents) are requested for intramural R&D and RSA by Canadian regions. Intramural expenditures are separated into current and capital. Personnel is separated into scientific and professional and total.

Sums must equal total intramural expenditures and personnel of questions 1A and 2A (reference year).

Payments to extramural performers for scientific activities -Annex to Question 1A (reference year) – Detailed Extramural listing

Departments and agencies of the federal government are asked to identify the extramural payment (payments made outside of the federal government administration) recipients for scientific activities.

We are requesting a detailed listing of the recipients of federal payments made in connection with a scientific activity.

Expenditures reported on this submission should be equal to the extramural expenditures declared in question 1A, by sector and activity, reported on the current Federal science expenditures and personnel (FSEP) questionnaire.

Please provide us with a list of science payments, including:

1. Name and address of the organization or individual receiving the payment;
2. Field of science: social or natural;
3. Type of payment: contract or grant/contribution;
4. Activity carried out by the performer: research and experimental development (R&D) or related scientific activity (RSA);
5. Performing sectors include business enterprise (BE), higher education (HE), Canadian non-profit institutions (NP), provincial and municipal governments (GO) and foreign performers (FP);
6. Amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars;
7. Business number

Note: the purchase of goods and services to support in-house R&D or RSA are to be treated as an in-house intramural expenditure.

Some Guidelines:

(1) Support or service contracts

Support or service contracts should not be included with extramural payments. They are defined as contracts to an outside institution or individual to provide goods or services necessary to support in-house R&D programs and should be reported as an in-house R&D or in-house RSA expenditure in this questionnaire. Examples are contracts with data processing firms for computing services, maintenance contracts for R&D facilities, or procurement contracts for specialized equipment which is not considered capital.

(2) Discrepancies

Reasons for significant fluctuations in expenditures or personnel between the years reported for this survey are requested to be explained in the 'change report'. Also written explanation is requested if the reference year data is significantly different from what was reported in the previous Federal Science Expenditure and Personnel survey.

Please forward the completed questionnaire and listing of extramural performers through the Electronic File Transfer service (EFT)

For further inquiries:
Phone Number: toll free at 1-888-659-8229
Fax number: toll free at 1-800-755-5514
E-mail: statcan.fsepsurv-enqdmsf.statcan@statcan.gc.ca

Your participation is greatly appreciated and will contribute to providing useful information on federal S&T expenditures. You will be able to access the results through "The Daily" and Tables 27-10- 0005-01 to 27-10-0014-01 and Tables 27-10-0026-01 to 27-10- 0029-01 on Statistics Canada's web site. The data will also be available on Science.gc.ca.

Thank you for your co-operation

End of questionnaire

Respondent guide

Introduction

This introduction is intended to provide an overview of the process of collecting science expenditure data; definitions of and explanatory notes on natural sciences and engineering, social sciences, humanities and the arts, scientific and technological activities, performance sectors, and other terms used are given in subsequent sections.

The collection of science expenditure data is organized by the Investment, Science and Technology Division (ISTD) of Statistics Canada. This exercise was formerly conducted under the aegis of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat but is now solely a Statistics Canada survey.

Collection is undertaken to gather essential data describing the recent, current and proposed state of the federal resources allocated to science. Federal science expenditures data are provided to Innovation, Science and economic Development Canada who in turn use the data in the development of advice to the Assistant Deputy Ministers' Steering Committee on the Management of S&T, their Minister and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, as well as in policy development and in monitoring the implementation of science policies. Statistics Canada maintains historical expenditure series in natural sciences and engineering dating back to 1963 and to 1971 in the social sciences, humanities and the arts. These data are available through the Investment, Science and Technology Division (ISTD) or through special requests.

The basic reporting unit is the budgetary program of a department or agency. Each budgetary program forms the subject of separate scientific expenditure reports for the natural and for the social science activities within it. Both the program and the program activities within it may be scientific in whole or in part only. Only expenditures on the scientific components of a program or its activity are reported. In some programs it will be difficult to distinguish between the natural and social sciences. However, some allocation must be made and in determining this allocation, the dominant orientation of the projects and the area of expertise of the personnel involved must be considered. Detailed definitions are given lower.

On the questionnaires, the identified expenditures are looked at from several different viewpoints and in various subdivisions. Expenditures on research and development (R&D) and related scientific activities (RSA) are subdivided to provide an indication of the "what" of a department's scientific effort. Expenditures in each category of scientific activity are further subdivided into "current" and "capital" segments. Current expenditures are additionally subdivided by sector, to indicate the "where" and "by whom" the activity is performed (e.g., in business enterprise, in higher education).

The human resources allocated to scientific activities are summarized in terms of the involved categories of personnel (scientific and professional, technical, etc.) and the principal focus of their efforts (R&D, RSA and, administration of extramural programs).

When completed, checked for consistency with previous reports, entered into the database and totaled along the various dimensions, these data provide snapshots of the federal resources allocated to science, supporting not only the work of central agencies but also the submissions of departments and agencies requesting resources.

General

This guide consists of definitions/explanations for terms used in the questionnaire.

The natural sciences and engineering consist of disciplines concerned with understanding, exploring, developing or utilizing the natural world. Included are the engineering and technology, mathematical, computer and information sciences, physical sciences, medical and health science, and agricultural sciences, veterinary sciences and forestry.

The term social sciences, humanities and the arts consists of disciplines involving the study of human actions and conditions and the social, economic and institutional mechanisms affecting humans. Included are such disciplines as arts, economics and business, education, history and archeology, law, language and linguistics, media and communications, philosophy, ethics and religion, psychology and cognitive sciences, social and economic geography and, sociology.

1. Expenditures by activity and performer

The questionnaire covers three consecutive fiscal years and the headings of all three are identical. One set of definitions/explanations therefore suffices.

Actual and planned expenditures on scientific and technological activities are to be classified according to the type of scientific activity and the performance sector in which the activities were or will be conducted.

Scientific and technological (S&T) activities can be defined as all systematic activities which are closely concerned with the generation, advancement, dissemination and application of scientific and technical knowledge in all fields of science and technology, that is, the natural sciences and engineering, and the social sciences, humanities and the arts. The central activity is scientific research and experimental development (R&D). In addition there are a number of activities closely related to R&D, and are termed related scientific activities (RSA). Those identified as being appropriate for the federal government in the natural sciences and engineering are: scientific data collection, information services, special services and studies and education support.

The performer is equivalent to the sector in which the scientific activity is conducted. The basic distinction is between intramural and extramural performance. Extramural payments are classified on the basis of the performance sectors to which they are made. The appropriate extramural performers are business enterprise, higher education, Canadian non-profit institutions, provincial and municipal governments, and foreign performers.

I. Performers

Intramural activities include all current expenditures incurred for scientific activities carried out by in-house personnel of units assigned to the program; the related gross fixed capital expenditures (acquisition of land, buildings, machinery and equipment for scientific activities); the administration of scientific activities by program employees; and the purchase of goods and services to support in-house scientific activities (include royalties or licences for the use of patents and other intellectual property rights, the lease of capital goods (machinery and equipment, etc.) and the rental of buildings to support scientific activities performed by the statistical unit in the reference year).

The intramural expenditures reported for scientific activities are those direct costs, including salaries, associated with scientific programs. The costs should include that portion of a program's contribution to employee benefit plans (e.g., superannuation and compensation) which is applicable to the scientific personnel within the program. The summation of intramural R&D activity is synonymous with the performance of R&D for the entire economy (GERD).

Extramural performers are groups being funded by the federal government sector for S&T activities. In this survey the extramural performers include:

Business enterprise – business and government enterprises including public utilities and government-owned firms. Both financial and non-financial corporations are included. Incorporated consultants or unincorporated individuals providing scientific and engineering services are also included. Industrial research institutes located at Canadian universities are considered to be in the higher education sector.

Higher education – comprises all universities, colleges of technology and other institutes of post-secondary education, whatever their source of finance or legal status. It also includes teaching hospitals (non-teaching hospitals are in the Canadian non-profit sector) all research institutes, centers, experimental stations and clinics that have their scientific activities under the direct control of, or administered by, or associated with, the higher education establishments.

Canadian non-profit institutions – charitable foundations, voluntary health organizations, scientific and professional societies, non-teaching hospitals (teaching hospitals are in the higher education sector) and other organizations not established to earn profits. Non-profit institutions primarily serving or controlled by another sector should be included in the controlling sector.

Provincial and municipal governments – departments and agencies of these governments as well as provincial research organizations. Government enterprises, such as provincial utilities are included in the business enterprise sector, and non-teaching hospitals in the Canadian non-profit institutions sector.

Foreign performers – all foreign government agencies, foreign companies (including foreign subsidiaries of Canadian firms), international organizations, non-resident foreign nationals and Canadians studying or teaching abroad.

II. Research and experimental development

Research and experimental development (R&D) – comprises creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge.

R&D activities may be aimed at achieving either specific or general objectives. R&D is always aimed at new findings, based on original concepts (and their interpretation) or hypotheses. It is largely uncertain about its final outcome (or at least about the quantity of time and resources needed to achieve it), it is planned for and budgeted (even when carried out by individuals), and it is aimed at producing results that could be either freely transferred or traded in a marketplace.

For an activity to be an R&D activity, it must satisfy five core criteria:

1. To be aimed at new findings (novel);
2. To be based on original, not obvious, concepts and hypothesis (creative);
3. To be uncertain about the final outcome (uncertainty);
4. To be planned and budgeted (systematic);
5. To lead to results that could be possibly reproduced (transferable/or reproducible).

Examples of R&D:

• A special investigation of a particular mortality in order to establish the side effects of certain cancer treatment is R&D.
• The investigation of new methods of measuring temperature is R&D, as is the study and development of new models for weather prediction.
• Investigation on the genetics of the species of plants in a forest in an attempt to understand natural controls for disease or pest resistance.
• The development of new application software and substantial improvements to operating systems and application programs.

R&D is generally carried out by specialized R&D units. However, an R&D project may also involve the use of non R&D facilities (e.g., testing grounds), the purchase or construction of specialized equipment and materials, and the assistance of other units. Costs of such items, attributable to the project, are to be considered R&D costs.

R&D may also be carried out by units normally engaged in other functions (e.g. a marine survey ship used for hydrological research, a geological survey team may be directed to work in a certain area in order to provide data for a geophysical research project). Such effort is part of an R&D project and, again, so far as is practical, the costs should be assigned to R&D expenditures.

On the other hand, R&D units may also be engaged in non R&D activities such as technical advisory services, testing, and construction of special equipment for other units. So far as is practical, the effort devoted to such operations should be included in the related scientific activities (RSA).

Item 1. In-house R&D – R&D performed by personnel of the reporting program. It may include R&D carried out on behalf of another program or federal government department.

In-house R&D activities include all current expenditures incurred for scientific activities carried out by in-house personnel of units assigned to the program, the purchase of goods and services to support in-house scientific activities (include royalties or licences for the use of patents and other intellectual property rights, and the rental of buildings to support scientific activities performed by the statistical unit in the reference year). Also include expenses of persons who provide ancillary services such as security, cleaning and maintenance work, finance and administration that are related and proportional to the R&D being conducted. However, the personnel providing these services are not to be included in the in-house personnel counts (see Section 2. Personnel).

Include the costs of self-employed individuals, consultants and researchers not employed by the statistical unit's R&D activities, who are working on-site on the departments' R&D projects.

The intramural expenditures reported to R&D are those direct costs, including salaries, associated with scientific programs. The cost should include that portion of a program's contribution to employee benefit plans (e.g., superannuation and compensation) which is applicable to the scientific personnel within the program.

Item 2. R&D contracts – R&D contracts to an outside institution or individual to fund R&D performed by the institution or individual. The criterion is: would the performer report the R&D contract as in-house (intramural) R&D that is government-funded? If the answer is yes the activity would be an R&D contract. If no, and the funding is to provide goods and services necessary to support the in-house R&D of the federal government it should be reported as In-house R&D (Item 1).

Contracts to other federal government departments should be reported as a transfer of funds in question 3A (i) and 3A (ii) of the questionnaire.

Item 3. R&D grants and contributions – awards to organizations or individuals for the conduct of R&D and intended to benefit the recipients rather than provide the program with goods, services or information. These funds are normally identical to that portion of the budgetary "grants and contributions" line object of expenditure which is devoted to R&D activities.

Item 4. Research fellowships – awards to individuals for advanced research training and experience. Awards intended primarily to support the education of the recipients should be reported as "education support".

Item 5. Administration of extramural programs – the costs of identifiable units engaged in the administration of contracts and grants and contributions for scientific activities that are to be performed outside the federal government. These expenditures should be broken down by the type of scientific activity supported, i.e. R&D or RSA.

Item 6. Capital expenditures – the annual gross amount paid for the acquisition of fixed assets that are used repeatedly or continuously in the performance of scientific activities for more than one year. They should be reported in full for the period when they took place, whether acquired or developed in house, and should not be registered as an element of depreciation.

The most relevant types of assets used for capital expenditures are:

• Land and buildings
• Machinery and equipment
• Capitalized computer software
• Other intellectual property products

III. Related scientific activities

Related scientific activities (RSA) are all systematic activities which are closely concerned with the generation, advancement, dissemination and application of scientific and technological knowledge. The types of related scientific activities for the natural sciences and engineering are described below.

Scientific data collection – the gathering, processing, collating and analyzing of data on natural phenomena. These data are normally the results of surveys, routine laboratory analyses or compilations of operating records.

Data collected as part of an existing or proposed research project are charged to research. Similarly, the costs of analyzing existing data as part of a research project are R&D costs, even when the data were originally collected for some other purpose. The development of new techniques for data collection is also to be considered a research activity. Examples of RSA scientific data collection are: routine geological, hydrographic, oceanographic and topographic surveys; routine astronomical observations; maintenance of meteorological records; and wildlife and fisheries surveys.

Information services – all work directed to collecting, coding, analyzing, evaluating, recording, classifying, translating and disseminating scientific and technological information as well as museum services. Included are the operations of scientific and technical libraries, S&T consulting and advisory services, the Patent Office, the publication of scientific journals and monographs, and the organizing of scientific conferences. Grants for the publication of scholarly works are also included.

General purpose information services or information services directed primarily towards the general public are excluded, as are general departmental and public libraries. When individual budgets exist, the costs of libraries which belong to institutions otherwise entirely classified to another activity, such as R&D, should be assigned to information services. The costs of printing and distributing reports from another activity, such as R&D, are normally attributed to that activity.

Sub category under Information Services:

Museum services – the collecting, cataloguing and displaying of specimens of the natural world or of representations of natural phenomena. The activity involves a systematic attempt to preserve and display items from the natural world; in some ways it could be considered an extension of information services. The scientific activities of natural history museums, zoological and botanical gardens, aquaria, planetaria and nature reserves are included. Parks which are not primarily restricted reserves for certain fauna or flora are excluded. In all cases the costs of providing entertainment and recreation to visitors should be excluded (e.g. restaurants, children's gardens and museums).

When a museum also covers not only natural history but also aspects of human cultural activities, the museum's resources should be appropriated between the natural and social sciences. However, museums of science and technology, war, etc., which display synthetic or artificial objects and may also illustrate the operations of certain technologies, should be considered as engaged in museum services in social sciences.

Special services and studies – work directed towards the establishment of national and provincial standards for materials, devices, products and processes; the calibration of secondary standards; non-routine quality testing; feasibility studies and demonstration projects.

Sub categories under Special Services and Studies include:

Testing and standardization – concerns the maintenance of national standards, the calibration of secondary standards and the non-routine testing and analysis of materials, components, products, processes, soils, atmosphere, etc. These activities are related scientific activities (RSA). The development of new measures for standards, or of new methods of measuring or testing, is R&D. Exclude routine testing such as monitoring radioactivity levels or soil tests before construction.

Feasibility studies – technical investigations of proposed engineering projects to provide additional information required to reach decisions on implementation. Besides feasibility studies, the related activity of demonstration projects are to be included. Demonstration projects involve the operation of scaled-up versions of a facility or process, or data on factors such as costs, operational characteristics, market demand and public acceptance. Projects called "demonstration projects" but which conform to the definition of R&D should be considered R&D. Once a facility or process is operated primarily to provide a service or to gain revenue, rather than as a demonstration, it should no longer be included with feasibility studies. In all demonstration projects, only the net costs should be considered.

Education support – grants to individuals or institutions on behalf of individuals which are intended to support the post-secondary education of students in technology and the natural sciences. General operating or capital grants are excluded. The activity includes the support of foreign students in their studies of the natural sciences at Canadian or foreign institutions. Grants intended primarily to support the research of individuals at universities are either R&D grants or research fellowships.

Awards intended primarily to support the education of the recipients should be reported as "education support".

Item 7. In-house RSA – RSA performed by personnel of the reporting program. It may include RSA carried out on behalf of another program or federal government department.

In-house RSA activities include all current expenditures incurred for scientific activities carried out by in-house personnel of units assigned to the program; the purchase of goods and services to support in-house scientific activities (include royalties or licences for the use of patents and other intellectual property rights, and the rental of buildings to support scientific activities performed by the statistical unit in the reference year). Also include expenses of persons who provide ancillary services such as security, cleaning and maintenance work, finance and administration that are proportional to the RSA being conducted. However, the personnel providing these services are not to be included in the in-house personnel counts (see Section 2. Personnel).

The intramural expenditures reported to RSA are those direct costs, including salaries, associated with scientific programs. The cost should include that portion of a program's contribution to employee benefit plans (e.g., superannuation and compensation) which is applicable to the scientific personnel within the program. Also include the costs of self-employed individuals, consultants and researchers who are working on-site on the departments' RSA projects.

Item 8. RSA contracts – contracts to an outside institution or individual to fund RSA performed by the institution or individual. The criterion is: would the performer report the RSA contract as in-house (intramural) RSA that is government-funded? If the answer is yes the activity would be an RSA contract. If no, and the funding is for the purchase goods and services to support the in-house RSA of the federal government department, it should be reported as In-house RSA (Item 7).

Contracts to other federal government departments should be reported as a transfer of funds in question 3A (i) and 3A (ii) of the questionnaire.

Item 9. RSA grants and contributions – awards to organizations or individuals for the conduct of RSA and intended to benefit the recipients rather than provide the program with goods, services or information. These funds are normally identical to that portion of the budgetary "grants and contributions" line object of expenditure which is devoted to RSA.

Item 10. Administration of extramural programs – the costs of identifiable units engaged in the administration of contracts and grants and contributions for scientific activities that are to be performed outside the federal government. These expenditures should be broken down by the type of scientific activity supported, i.e. R&D or RSA.

Item 11. Capital expenditures – the annual gross amount paid for the acquisition of fixed assets that are used repeatedly or continuously in the performance of scientific activities for more than one year. They should be reported in full for the period when they took place, whether acquired or developed in house, and should not be registered as an element of depreciation.

The most relevant types of assets used for capital expenditures are:

• Land and buildings
• Machinery and equipment
• Capitalized computer software
• Other intellectual property products

2. Personnel

Personnel data are collected for intramural scientific activities only. A head count of personnel working on intramural scientific activities is not requested, rather the amount of time a worker dedicates to scientific and technological activities during a specific reference period as a percentage of the total number of hours conventionally worked in the same period. This is noted as full-time equivalent research and development personnel or full-time equivalent related scientific activity personnel. For example, an employee who is engaged in scientific activities for half a year has a full-time equivalence of 0.5. Personnel data reported should be consistent with expenditure data.

Most intramural scientific activities are performed primarily by persons employed by the department or agency. Extramural personnel contributing directly to the intramural scientific activities of the department or agency that are located on site should also be included in the personnel counts.

Not all of the personnel contributing to or facilitating the performance of scientific activities are to be included in the personnel totals. Individuals undertaking indirect support or ancillary activities are excluded. For example specific services to R&D or RSA provided by central computer department and libraries; services by central finance and human resources departments dealing with R&D or RSA projects; provision of services for security, cleaning, maintenance, canteens, etc. to R&D or RSA performing units. These services are not included in the intramural scientific activities personnel totals, however their related costs should be included with in-house expenditures.

Scientific and professional – researchers and professionals engaged in the conception or creation of new knowledge. They conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories, models, techniques instrumentation, software or operational methods. They require at least one academic degree or nationally recognized professional qualification, as well as those with equivalent experience.

Technical – technicians and equivalent staff are persons whose main tasks require technical knowledge and experience in one or more fields of engineering, the physical and life sciences, or the social sciences, humanities and the arts. They perform scientific and technical tasks involving the application of concepts and operational methods and the use of research equipment, normally under the supervision of researchers.

Other – other supporting staff include skilled and unskilled craftsmen, and administrative, secretarial and clerical staff participating in science and technology projects or directly associated with such projects.

3A (i). Transfers for natural sciences and engineering activities

Include payments or recipients for contracts, transfers and joint programs from/to other federal government departments. Please identify the amount and names of the origination and recipient programs.

3A (ii). Sources of funds for total scientific and technological activities

This question identifies the sources of funds for expenditures on scientific activities reported for all three years. It will help to ensure that work funded from outside the department is not overlooked.

Departmental S&T budget – that portion of the total departmental budget which was spent on natural science and engineering activities.

Revenues to / from other federal departments – money transferred from this program to another federal department or money transferred into this program from another federal department for activities in the natural sciences and engineering.

Provincial government departments – all funds from the provincial government used for natural science and engineering activities. The funds are referred to as payments, contributions, transfers, etc. Also include provincial portions of federal-provincial cost sharing programs performed by the department program.

Business enterprises – all funds from business enterprises used for natural science and engineering activities performed by the department.

Other – all funds for natural sciences and engineering activities from other sources not specified above.

4. Scientific and technological expenditures by socio-economic objectives

Socio-economic objectives allow departments to classify their S&T resource allocations according to the purpose for which the expenditure is intended. In many cases, projects have multiple objectives and a department should assign its expenditures consistent with the stated objectives of the department. Care must be taken to avoid "double counting".

The objectives are based on the European Union classification adopted by Eurostat for the Nomenclature for the Analysis and Comparison of Scientific Programmes and Budgets (NABS) at the one-digit level.

1. Exploration and exploitation of the Earth

Exploration and exploitation of the Earth - covers scientific activities with objectives related to the exploration of the Earth's crust and mantle, seas, oceans and atmosphere, as well as for scientific activities on their exploitation. It also includes climatic and meteorological research, polar exploration and hydrology. It does not include scientific activities related to soil improvement (objective 4), land use or fishing (objective 8), or pollution (objective 2).

2. Environment

Environment - covers scientific activities aimed at improving the control of pollution, including the identification and analysis of the sources of pollution and their causes, and all pollutants, including their dispersal in the environment and the effects on humans, species (fauna, flora, micro-organisms) and the biosphere.

The development of monitoring facilities for the measurement of all kinds of pollution is included, as is scientific activities for the elimination and prevention of all forms of pollution in all types of environment.

3. Exploration and exploitation of space

Exploration and exploitation of space - covers all civil space scientific activities relating to the scientific exploration of space, space laboratories, space travel and launch systems. Although civil space scientific activities is not in general concerned with particular objectives, it frequently has a specific goal, such as the advancement of knowledge (e.g. astronomy) or relates to particular applications (e.g. telecommunications satellites or earth observation). This chapter does not include corresponding scientific activities for defence purposes.

4. Transport, telecommunication and other infrastructures

Transport, telecommunication and other infrastructures - covers scientific activities aimed at infrastructure and land development, including the construction of buildings. More generally, this objective covers all scientific activities relating to the general planning of land use. This includes scientific activities into protection against harmful effects in town and country planning but not research into other types of pollution (objective 2). This objective also includes scientific activities related to transport systems; telecommunication systems; general planning of land use; the construction and planning of buildings; civil engineering; and water supply.

5. Energy

Energy - covers scientific activities aimed at improving the production, storage, transportation, distribution and rational use of all forms of energy. It also includes scientific activities on processes designed to increase the efficiency of energy production and distribution, and the study of energy conservation. It does not include scientific activities related to prospecting (objective 1) or scientific activities into vehicle and engine propulsion (objective 6).

6. Industrial production and technology

Industrial production and technology - covers scientific activities aimed at the improvement of industrial production and technology, including scientific activities on industrial products and their manufacturing processes, except where they form an integral part of the pursuit of other objectives (e.g. defence, space, energy, agriculture).

7. Health

Health - covers scientific activities aimed at protecting, promoting and restoring human health broadly interpreted to include health aspects of nutrition and food hygiene. It ranges from preventive medicine, including all aspects of medical and surgical treatment, both for individuals and groups, and the provision of hospital and home care, to social medicine and paediatric and geriatric research.

8. Agriculture (include forestry and fisheries)

Agriculture - covers all scientific activities aimed at the promotion of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and foodstuff production, or furthering knowledge on chemical fertilisers, biocides, biological pest control and the mechanisation of agriculture, as well as concerning the impact of agricultural and forestry activities on the environment. This also covers scientific activities aimed at improving food productivity and technology. It does not include the development of rural areas; on the construction and planning of buildings; on the improvement of rural rest and recreation amenities and agricultural water supply (objective 4); on energy measures (objective 5); or on the food industry (objective 6).

9. Education

Education - includes scientific activities aimed at supporting general or special education, including training, pedagogy, didactics, and targeted methods for specially gifted persons or those with learning disabilities. This objective applies to all levels of education, from pre- and primary school through to tertiary education, as well as to subsidiary services to education.

10. Culture, recreation, religion and mass media

Culture, recreation, religion and mass media - includes scientific activities aimed at improving the understanding of social phenomena related to cultural activities, religion and leisure activities so as to define their impact on life in society, as well as to racial and cultural integration and on socio-cultural changes in these areas. The concept of "culture" covers the sociology of science, religion, art, sport and leisure, and also comprises inter alia scientific activities on the media, the mastery of language and social integration, libraries, archives and external cultural policy.

This objective also includes scientific activities related to: recreational and sporting services; cultural services; broadcasting and publishing services; and religious and other community services.

11. Political and social systems, structures and processes

Political and social systems, structures and processes - includes scientific activities aimed at improving the understanding of and supporting the political structure of society; public administration issues and economic policy; regional studies and multi-level governance; social change, social processes and social conflicts; the development of social security and social assistance systems; and the social aspects of the organisation of work. This objective also includes scientific activities related to gender-related social studies, including discrimination and familiar problems; the development of methods of combating poverty at local, national and international level; the protection of specific population categories on the social level (immigrants, delinquents, "drop outs", etc.), on the sociological level, i.e. with regard to their way of life (young people, adults, retired people, disabled people, etc.) and on the economic level (consumers, farmers, fishermen, miners, the unemployed, etc.); and methods of providing social assistance when sudden changes (natural, technological or social) occur in society.

This objective does not include scientific activities related to industrial health, the health control of communities from the organisational and socio-medical point of view, pollution at the place of work, the prevention of industrial accidents and the medical aspects of the causes of industrial accidents (objective 7).

12. Defence

Defence - covers scientific activities for military purposes. It may also include basic research and nuclear and space research when financed by ministries of defence. Civil research financed by ministries of defence, for example in the fields of meteorology, telecommunications and health, should be classified in the relevant objectives.

5. Expenditures and personnel of scientific and technological establishment engaged in activities in the natural sciences and engineering, by region

Since 1978, Statistics Canada has been collecting detailed expenditure and person year data on intramural scientific activities of federal government departments and agencies by region. These data, coupled with data from other surveys, have been used by policy planners in federal and provincial governments, research managers and the media to assess the provincial distribution of science activities in Canada.

We are asking for the information at the regional level. We are also asking for information in both natural science and engineering establishments as well as those performing activities in the social sciences, humanities and the arts, as international gross domestic expenditures on research and development (GERD) statistics include activities in both science fields.

The Canada total expenditures and personnel reported for the actual year must be consistent with data reported on intramural expenditures in question 1A, and total personnel in question 2A.

General information

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to federal departments and agencies located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), as well as the Office of the Chief Science Advisor (OCSA) of ISED.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to federal departments and agencies located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Record linkages

To enhance the data from this survey and to minimize the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine it with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

Please forward the completed questionnaire and listing of extramural performers through the Electronic File Transfer service (EFT).

For further inquiries:
Phone Number: toll free at 1-888-659-8229
Fax number: toll free at 1-800-755-5514
E-mail: statcan.fsepsurv-enqdmsf.statcan@statcan.gc.ca

Your participation is greatly appreciated and will contribute to providing useful information on federal S&T expenditures. You will be able to access the results through "The Daily" and Tables 27-10- 0005-01 to 27-10-0014-01 and Tables 27-10-0026-01 to 27-10- 0029-01 on Statistics Canada's web site. The data will also be available on Science.gc.ca.

Thank you for your co-operation

Looking for a dynamic space to collaborate and learn about data science? Join the new Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service (Powered by StatCan stewardship) by subscribing to our newsletter! Our vision is to create a vibrant community of data science enthusiasts and to offer a dynamic space for members to collaborate and learn about data science.

• Why should you join?
• What are the benefits of the Network for Canadians?
• What are the benefits of the Network for other departments?
• Who can join?
• StatCan's role in the Network
• Creating a data science community together
• Resources
• Get in touch

The Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service is a new data science community that will facilitate data science capacity building and sharing of data science methods across the Government of Canada, allowing the public service as a whole to benefit from the use of automation and new data sources.

The Network users share information on training, best practices, cutting-edge projects and more.

Statistics Canada, as the country's national statistical agency and trusted source for information, is pleased to fulfill a stewardship role for this network. For over 100 years the agency has been operating as a trustworthy source of information, building on best practices and expertise for data governance, privacy, transparency, fairness and rigor. To meet the evolving information needs of Canadians, we will continue to apply that expertise to the latest data science and algorithmic developments.

Why should you join?

There are many benefits to joining the Network, including the chance to

• engage with data scientists from across Canada to learn the latest tips and tricks
• participate in dynamic discussions about data science advancements and challenges
• learn about and participate in collaborative data science projects
• share information about training, best practices and much more!

What are the benefits of the Network for Canadians?

The Network does not just benefit data scientists—it benefits all Canadians.

A strong foundation of data science in the Government of Canada means services and resources are used more efficiently and effectively through the use of leading-edge tools and methods. This allows departments to better meet the information needs of Canadians, enables policy makers to make informed decisions based on trusted, high-quality data products and supports better use of data as a strategic asset for public good.

The Network's overall mission is to build the capacity for data science across the Government of Canada and beyond.

What are the benefits of the Network for other departments?

StatCan is taking advantage of data science by combining the best of traditional statistics, artificial intelligence and machine learning to:

• deliver faster, timelier products to Canadians
• reduce the response burden on households and businesses
• produce more granular and accurate statistics
• enhance privacy and confidentiality
• provide data integration services
• support an agile, user-centric approach to work
• better meet the evolving data needs of users in an entrepreneurial manner

The Network will build the capacity for data science across departments, delivering these benefits on a broader scale.

In addition to sharing resources, the Network also gives participating departments a vehicle to share knowledge and build capacity for data science together. From data sharing to best practices, a community approach creates efficiencies across programs and means less time is spent overcoming obstacles.

The Network also provides opportunities for mutually beneficial cost-sharing to help departments meet the needs of Canadians as outlined in their respective data strategies.

Who can join?

The Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service is open to anyone interested in data science, including Government of Canada employees, academics and members of other organizations. All levels of expertise are welcome.

The network is not just for data scientists! If you are a manager for data scientists, this is your chance to gain valuable insight into hiring, retaining and supporting data scientists on your team.

StatCan's role in the network

Statistics Canada is spearheading the creation of the Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service. As a trusted leader in data analytics methods, Statistics Canada has the knowledge, expertise and vision to bring the Network to life. Statistics Canada is pleased to provide stewardship for this network. As Canada's trusted, credible source of information for Canadians, the agency will continue to apply its expertise in new areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to benefit Canadians.

The agency integrates new data science methods, processes, technologies and standards with long-standing analytical expertise to provide better social and economic insights to Canadians and policy makers.

Improving the use of statistics across the Government of Canada is central to the agency's mandate. This ensures better decision making through data, along with algorithmic accountability, ethical and responsible use of methods (such as valid inference, bias, fairness, reproducibility, etc.) and the promotion of sound standards and practices.

Statistics Canada looks forward to collaborating with partners as the network continues to grow.

Creating a data science community together

Statistics Canada welcomes and encourages the participation of all Government of Canada departments and other interested partners in the Data Science Network for the Federal Public Service.

All participants can benefit from collaboration opportunities, data and resource sharing, and discussions about all things data science.

Subscribe to our newsletter to find out more, or get in touch for additional information.

Resources

Learn more about data science with these helpful resources.

Get in touch

Contact statcan.dsnfps-rsdfpf.statcan@statcan.gc.ca for more information.

Seventh Canadian Statistics Advisory Council (CSAC) Meeting

Date: June 12 2020, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: Virtual meeting

CSAC members

Dr. Teresa Scassa (Chairperson), Gurmeet Ahluwalia, David Chaundy, Annette Hester, Jan Kestle, Dr. Céline Le Bourdais, Gail Mc Donald, Dr. Howard Ramos, Dr. Michael Wolfson

Regrets: Anil Arora

Statistics Canada guests/support

Melanie Forsberg, Lynn Barr-Telford, André Loranger, Stéphane Dufour, Monia Lahaie, Yvan Clermont, Jacques Fauteux, Pierre Therrien

• Meeting agenda
• Meeting summary

Meeting agenda

Meeting agenda

Time	Agenda Item	Lead Participant(s)
12:50 - 13:00	Virtual Arrival	CSAC Members
13:00 - 13:05	Chairperson introductory remarks	Teresa Scassa: Chairperson
13:05 - 13:10	Update from the Chief Statistician of Canada	Anil Arora: Chief Statistician of Canada
13:10 - 13:30	Briefing on Health Data	Lynn Barr-Telford: Assistant Chief Statistician Andre Loranger: Assistant Chief Statistician Stephane Dufour: Assistant Chief Statistician Monia Lahaie: Assistant Chief Statistician Jacques Fauteux: Assistant Chief Statistician Yvan Clermont: Director General
13:30 - 14:00	Q&A Discussion	CSAC members Lynn Barr-Telford: Assistant Chief Statistician Andre Loranger: Assistant Chief Statistician Stephane Dufour: Assistant Chief Statistician Monia Lahaie: Assistant Chief Statistician Jacques Fauteux: Assistant Chief Statistician Yvan Clermont: Director General
14:00 - 14:10	Health Break
14:10 - 15:40	Update on Annual Report In camera discussion In depth discussion on the section of the report Section 1 (30 min) Section 2 (30 min) Section 3 (30 min)	CSAC members and Rosemary Bender
15:40 - 15:55	Future Planning In camera discussion	CSAC members
15:55 - 16:00	Closing remarks In camera	Teresa Scassa: Chairperson

Meeting summary

1. Chairperson introductory remarks and Roundtable

Dr. Teresa Scassa opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests to the June virtual CSAC meeting. The Chairperson provided an overview of the agenda.

2. Update from the Chief Statistician of Canada

The Chief Statistician sent regrets, he was unable to attend the meeting due to an unforeseen conflict.

3. Briefing on Health Data

Lynn Barr-Telford, Assistant Chief Statistician

At the Council's request, Lynn Barr-Telford shared the work underway at Statistics Canada to support the health portfolio with timely, granular and integrated data in the COVID-19 context. Ms. Barr-Telford shared the innovative work underway at Statistics Canada, highlighted challenges and opportunities, and key partnerships and initiatives underway to support improvements to the Canadian health data system.

4. Q&A Discussion

CSAC members and Assistant Chief Statisticians

Following the health data briefing, Council members engaged in a question and answer period with Ms. Barr-Telford, and other Assistant Chief Statisticians. Council members and Statistics Canada management discussed partnerships and collaborations, stakeholder engagement at the provincial and federal level and the impacts of data gaps on Canadians.