Activities in the natural sciences and engineering
This survey is collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S19. Completion of this questionnaire is a legal requirement under the Statistics Act.
A - Introduction
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.
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.
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.
Information on data-sharing and record linkages can be found on page 5 of this questionnaire.
B – General Instructions
1. Please answer all questions. Your best estimates are satisfactory when precise figures are not available.
2. Additional forms and explanations of the terms used in the questions can be obtained from the Science and Technology Surveys Section: statcan.istdinformation-distinformation.statcan@canada.ca
3. Please enclose a copy of your latest published annual report with a completed copy of the questionnaire by the end of January 13, 2017 and send to:
Public Sector Investments Investment, Science and Technology Division Statistics Canada, Main Building, Room 1306 E 150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6
E-mail: statcan.istdinformation-distinformation.statcan@canada.ca
I hereby authorize Statistics Canada to disclose any or all portions of the data supplied on this questionnaire by this organization (Yes or No, Date, Name and Signature)
I hereby authorize Statistics Canada to return this questionnaire for verification purposes by secure method (Yes or No, Date, Name and Signature)
C – Person to whom enquiries are to be directed
- Name
- Official Position
- Business Address
- Telephone number
- Website
- Date of Completion
- Period covered by organization’s fiscal year
Question 1. Total scientific and technological expenditures by activity in the natural sciences and engineering.
This question is requesting your expenditures on research and development (R&D) and related scientific activities (RSA).
A. Research and 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 outcomes (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.
Intramural (in-house) R&D is defined as all expenditures for R&D performed within your organization by your personnel during a specific period, whatever the source of funds. It also includes capital expenditures for the purpose of the organization’s intramural R&D activities.
In this question, R&D expenditures (in thousands of Canadian dollars) for the Actual fiscal year and the Preliminary fiscal year are asked for the following:
Current expenditures related to Intramural (in-house) R&D
The intramural expenditures reported to scientific activities 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, as well as costs for personnel engaged in the administration of extramural (external) R&D contracts, grants and contributions. The summation of intramural R&D activity is synonymous with the performance of R&D for the entire economy (GERD).
Capital expenditures related to Intramural (in-house) R&D
Include land and buildings, machinery and equipment, capitalized computer software and other intellectual property products.
Extramural (external) R&D payments
Include expenditures for R&D projects or programs paid to other organizations e.g., business enterprises or higher education institutions to perform R&D on behalf of your organization. Include contract payments, grants and contributions.
Sub-total: Research and development expenditures (R&D)
B. Related scientific activities (RSA) include activities such as scientific data collection, information services and special services and studies.
Intramural (in-house) RSA is defined as all expenditures for RSA performed within your organization by your personnel during a specific period, whatever the source of funds. It also includes capital expenditures for the purpose of the organization’s intramural RSA activities.
In this question, RSA expenditures (in thousands of Canadian dollars) for the Actual fiscal year and Preliminary fiscal year are asked for the following:
Current expenditures related to Intramural (in-house) RSA
The intramural expenditures reported to scientific activities 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, as well as costs for personnel engaged in the administration of extramural (external) RSA contracts, grants and contributions.
Capital expenditures related to Intramural (in-house) RSA
Include land and buildings, machinery and equipment, capitalized computer software and other intellectual property products.
Extramural (external) RSA payments
Include expenditures for RSA projects or programs paid to other organizations e.g., business enterprises or higher education institutions to perform RSA on behalf of your organization. Include contract payments, grants and contributions.
Sub-total: Research and development expenditures (R&D)
C. Total science and technology (S&T) expenditures (addition of sub-totals A + B)
Question 2. Source of funds for intramural (in-house) research and development (R&D) in the natural sciences and engineering
The purpose of this question is to determine the source of expenditures on R&D performed by your organization.
This questions asks for your Intramural R&D expenditures (in thousands of Canadian dollars) for the Actual fiscal year by Sources of funds (financing):
- R&D budget of the provincial research organization (operating capital, and grants and contributions)
- Federal government
- Provincial/Territorial government – including provincial government boards and municipal governments. Consider provincial corporations providing commercial services (e.g. power, railroad, subway, bus) as part of the Canadian business enterprise sector.
- Canadian business enterprises
- Other Canadian sources
- Foreign sources
- Total
Question 3. Personnel in full-time equivalent (FTE) engaged in scientific and technological activities in the natural sciences and engineering
The purpose of this question is to measure the number of personnel within your organization devoted to research and development and/or related scientific activities.
This questions asks for Personnel engaged in R&D and Personnel Engaged in RSA in Full-time equivalent (FTE) for the Actual year by the following personnel categories:
Scientific and professional personnel – scientists, engineers, researchers, managers, administrators and executives.
Supporting personnel – technicians and equivalent staff
Other – skilled and unskilled craftsmen, and administrative, secretarial and clerical staff participating in science and technology projects or directly associated with such projects.
Total personnel
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 New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon.
The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments 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 the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments 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.
Enquiries should be directed to:
Investment, Science and Technology Division
Statistics Canada
170 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Room JT 12D
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6
E-mail: statcan.istdinformation-distinformation.statcan@canada.ca