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International Profile

Small Business, Tourism and Marketplace Services (SBTMS)

The Small Business, Tourism and Marketplace Services Sector is accountable for:

  • small business programs and policies in Industry Canada, including Canada Business, the Canada Small Business Financing Program and the Small Business Policy Branch;
  • administering the Investment Canada Act and providing oversight of our marketplace agencies, including Measurement Canada, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy and Corporations Canada; and
  • Chief Information Officer functions in Industry Canada, Access to Information and Privacy functions, and elements of the Federal Accountability Act.
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Small Business Policy Branch

The Small Business Policy Branch currently participates in forums dedicated to tourism and small and medium enterprise (SME) policy and research.

Within these forums, Canada shares with other countries its policy views and data on tourism and SME behaviour and performance. Canada also learns about the best practices of other countries to improve its own policies and initiatives.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
The Small Business Policy Branch represents Canada in the APEC Small and Medium Enterprise Working Group, a forum for government officials responsible for SME policies, programs and supporting functions.

The Working Group supports an annual meeting of APEC Ministers responsible for SMEs. Ministerial discussions focus on policy initiatives and projects that will promote the growth and expansion of SMEs across APEC member economies.

The Small Business Policy Branch also represents Canada on the APEC Tourism Working Group and supports Canada's participation in APEC Tourism Ministers' meetings. The role of the APEC Tourism Working Group is to foster economic development in the Asia-Pacific region through sustainable tourism growth.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The Small Business Policy Branch participates in the Working Party on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship and in the Centre for Entrepreneurship, a subsidiary of the Committee on Industry, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The objective of the Working Party is to provide intelligence to member and non-member states with the aim of assisting them to develop policies that foster entrepreneurship; facilitate sustainable growth, competitiveness and job creation; and help SMEs meet the challenges associated with globalization. The Working Party is responsible for promoting and developing OECD work on SMEs and entrepreneurship.

The Branch also represents Canada in the International Consortium on Entrepreneurship, an initiative launched in 2005 to produce credible and objective measures of entrepreneurship across OECD countries.

The Consortium works closely with the OECD Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship and the OECD Statistics Directorate to produce an annual report of over 60 entrepreneurship indicators across OECD countries, as well as to undertake specific research projects designed by member countries.

In addition, the Small Business Policy Branch participates in activities of the OECD Tourism Committee, which aims to exchange experiences and good practices on current tourism policy challenges.

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Canada is a member of the UNWTO, and the Small Business and Policy Branch is involved in its activities, along with the Canadian Tourism Commission and Statistics Canada. The UNWTO is a global forum for tourism policy and research, and a source of tourism expertise.

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Measurement Canada (MC)

Measurement Canada, a special operating agency of Industry Canada, sets the rules of the marketplace with respect to trade measurement. The agency administers and enforces the Weights and Measures Act and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act.

Measurement Canada's mission is to ensure equity and accuracy where goods and services are bought and sold on the basis of measurement, in order to contribute to a fair and competitive marketplace for Canadians.

Measurement Canada's international activities derive from its legislative responsibilities, set out in the Weights and Measures Act and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act.

Measurement Canada works with the international legal metrology community to:

  • develop and standardize requirements related to the performance and use of measurement systems; and
  • establish mutual acceptance arrangements for the approval of these systems for use in Canada and other countries.

Measurement Canada is an active and influential member within many international forums. MC senior managers are members of several executive committees responsible for determining the direction and priorities of these international organizations, and MC staff are members of the technical committees:

Measurement Canada's involvement in these forums contributes to achieving the Government of Canada's commitments to respecting regulatory cooperation with our international trading partners; reducing barriers to trade, innovation and competitiveness; and minimizing the redundant testing and certification of equipment.

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Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB)

The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada helps ensure that bankruptcies and insolvencies are conducted in a fair and orderly manner. As regulator of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy participates in several international insolvency forums to:

  • share best practices;
  • provide information and expertise to countries that are introducing or revising their insolvency legislation, to help them establish responsive, modern legislation; and
  • participate in the development and evolution of global insolvency proceedings.

The OSB is active in four international insolvency organizations:

  • The International Association of Insolvency Regulators is an international body that brings together government insolvency regulators to promote a wider understanding of insolvency issues, procedures and practices, and to develop approaches that reflect different legal, socio-economic, historical, cultural and institutional frameworks.
  • INSOL International (International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals) develops internationally accepted legislation and guidelines, and provides a forum to exchange knowledge and learn from the experiences of other countries.
  • The International Insolvency Institute's objectives include improving international cooperation in insolvency issues, and achieving greater coordination between nations in multinational business reorganizations and restructurings. The Superintendent of Bankruptcy is a member of the Board of Directors.
  • The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law is generally mandated to further the progressive harmonization and unification of international trade law, including insolvency law.

The OSB also receives visitors from other nations who wish to study Canada's insolvency system.

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Corporations Canada

Corporations Canada administers the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Corporations Act (CCA Part II — non-profit), the Boards of Trade Act, the Canada Cooperatives Act and several other corporate laws governing the incorporation of companies' intermediaries.

Corporations Canada is active in four international financial forums:

International Association of Commercial Administrators
This is a U.S.-Canada forum where corporate law administrators from the U.S. and Canada, with some international participants, share ideas on such subjects as corporate law and technology innovation, as well as corporate law services and systems.

Corporate Registers Forum
This is an international forum of corporate registrars. Its purpose is to discuss and share best practices in policy, compliance and administrative approaches in the area of corporate law administration from around the world.

Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail
Under the lead of the Department of Justice Canada and with the support of Transport Canada, Corporations Canada is involved in negotiations to develop an international protocol to the draft Unidroit Convention on international registration of security interests in railway equipment. This is a follow-up protocol to the protocol on aircraft equipment, signed in Capetown, South Africa.

OECD Steering Group on Corporate Governance
Corporations Canada's participation in the Steering Group relates directly to its responsibility for regulations under the Canada Business Corporations Act. The Steering Group is responsible for the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance and for promoting adoption of these principles, including best practices in member and non-member countries. Industry Canada contributed to the development of the principles, and its continued participation is intended to promote and adopt best practices of corporate governance.

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Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office is responsible for administering the five intellectual property (IP) statutes in Canada: the Copyright Act, the Patent Act, the Trade-marks Act, the Industrial Design Act and the Integrated Circuit Topography Act. Part of CIPO's mandate is to "promote Canada's international intellectual property interests."

CIPO ensures that Canada's interests are represented in multilateral forums, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). CIPO leads the Canadian delegation at WIPO's annual general assemblies in Geneva. CIPO experts also participate in WIPO technical committees dealing with all aspects of industrial property (e.g., patents and trademarks).

CIPO regularly participates in and leads the Canadian delegation at meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) IP Experts' Group and provides input into Government of Canada meeting instructions in various other trade policy or IP-related forums, such as the WTO-TRIPS (World Trade Organization — Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Council.

CIPO also engages bilaterally with IP offices in other countries and coordinates visits from those offices to discuss operational IP issues.

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Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA)

Under the Industry Canada Act, the Minister of Industry has a statutory responsibility to promote and protect consumer interests throughout Canada. The Minister is also responsible for improving productivity and innovation.

The Office of Consumer Affairs meets these responsibilities by building trust in the marketplace so that consumers can protect themselves, and can confidently and knowledgeably drive demand for innovative products and services at competitive prices.

OCA participates in the following international forums:

OECD Committee on Consumer Policy (CCP)
OCA chairs the OECD CCP, the only intergovernmental forum at the international level that meets regularly to address consumer policy concerns. The CCP develops principles to strengthen cooperation between member countries, better protect consumers, and promote a global marketplace and trust in the digital economy.

The current CCP agenda includes work on analyzing the impact of new technologies and emerging business practices online, examining good practices in consumer policy regimes, and developing an economic rationale for consumer policy.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
OCA serves as a representative of the Standards Council of Canada on ISO's Consumer Policy Committee, and has been influential in recommending and developing international standards for customer satisfaction quality management, business-to-consumer electronic commerce, and social responsibility.

Consumers International
OCA is a government affiliate member of Consumers International, a federation of over 260 consumer organizations in 112 countries that is dedicated to protecting consumer interests. Consumers International works to support and strengthen its member organizations and the consumer movement in general, and to achieve policies at the international level that respect consumer concerns and the development of civil society.

OCA membership in Consumers International provides an opportunity to gain valuable information on the issues that affect consumers and are being championed by international consumer organizations.

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Communications Research Centre (CRC)

The Communications Research Centre Canada's research and development (R&D) activities and its international role fulfill responsibilities set out in the Radiocommunication Act and the Telecommunications Act.

The CRC:

  • is the federal government's primary laboratory for R&D in advanced telecommunications, with expertise in four major communications platforms: wireless, broadcasting, satellite and fibre optics;
  • anticipates major telecommunications trends in support of public policy, regulations and standards;
  • assists Canadian telecommunications firms in their efforts to remain globally competitive; and
  • provides support to other government programs and needs, such as defence, security and public safety, and technology development.

The CRC is involved in international activities to:

  • assist in setting international standards;
  • promote Canadian interests on regulatory issues;
  • leverage knowledge and expertise internationally for research and development purposes;
  • assist colleagues within Industry Canada and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada who are responsible for international trade and investment;
  • facilitate international science and technology partnerships for the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector;
  • promote Canadian ICT knowledge and expertise globally in partnership with the private sector, academia and other government departments;
  • improve overall competitiveness of the Canadian ICT sector; and
  • improve broadband networks and strengthen ICT infrastructure across Canada.

The CRC's international activities include:

  • working with the International Telecommunication Union, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and other international standards forums to develop standards that will facilitate the efficient delivery of telecommunications and broadcasting applications (areas include cognitive radio, wireless regional area networks, Wi-Fi, audio codecs and digital radio);
  • representing Canada as the National Contact Point for the ICT portion of the European Union's framework programs for R&D;
  • co-chairing the UN Action Team 6 for implementation of the UNISPACE III resolution on "Use of Space Based Technologies to Improve Public Health"; and
  • receiving international visitors with a view to promoting the Canadian ICT sector.
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Industry Sector (IS)

The Industry Sector's responsibilities derive from the Industry Canada Act. Its mission is to help build a 21st-century Canadian economy by applying value-added knowledge and expertise about Canadian industry to government decision-making and industrial adjustment. As a result, the Industry Sector is involved in the following activities to make Canada more internationally competitive:

  • deepening the government's understanding of global value chains and the implications of government decisions and policy directions;
  • undertaking research on international industrial competition issues (including codes and standards), and disseminating that intelligence to industry;
  • influencing the policy agenda on border issues and regulations to ensure the free flow of goods and services with trading partners;
  • supporting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) in its role in international commerce by providing key business insight and information, developing international commerce strategies for important sectors of the economy, and making the case for investing in Canada; and
  • playing a key role in promoting industrial opportunities for Canadian companies in global markets by coordinating incoming and outgoing trade activities with industry, government, DFAIT posts abroad and regional trade networks, and developing export promotion tools.

The Industry Sector participates in several international forums where the latest research and thinking about industrial performance and competitiveness are discussed, including:

  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
    IS participates in the OECD Working Party on Biotechnology. This provides policy analysis and guidance on a broad range of biotechnology issues, such as genetic privacy, gene patents, innovation and industrial sustainability, industrial applications, and health care and disease prevention.
  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
    The Industry Sector participates in the NATO Council, coordinating the industrial emergency plans of member countries and providing national experts in the area of environmental technologies.

The international knowledge and expertise gained from these forums assist Canada in developing policies that promote increased competitiveness for Canadian companies.

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Competition Bureau (CB)

The Competition Bureau is an independent agency that contributes to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

Headed by the Commissioner of Competition, the Bureau is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

The Competition Bureau participates in several international activities to advance Canada's competition law and policy interests. The International Affairs Division of the External Relations and Public Affairs Branch advances the Bureau's interests in international cooperation, negotiations, policy development and advocacy.

OECD Competition Committee
CB leads Canada's participation within the OECD, in the Competition Committee (CC) and its working parties.

  • The Competition Committee reviews developments in competition law and policy, discusses current issues facing competition authorities, and promotes enforcement cooperation between competition authorities. The Commissioner of Competition is an elected member of the executive of the Competition Committee.
  • Working Party No. 2 on Competition and Regulation (WP2) aims to promote a dialogue between competition authorities and regulators that will enable governments to implement policies to minimize market distortions and foster competition. WP2 reviews competition policy and regulatory issues in particular sectors, and promotes a competition approach to regulatory issues.
  • Working Party No. 3 on Cooperation and Enforcement strives to improve the effectiveness of national competition law enforcement efforts and increase international cooperation in competition law enforcement.

CB participates with Industry Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs in the OECD's Committee on Consumer Policy, which examines questions regarding consumer policy and law.

International Competition Network (ICN)
The ICN is an informal network of competition agencies from developed and transition economies with the common goal of addressing practical antitrust enforcement and policy issues. The ICN contributes significantly to promoting enforcement convergence and cooperation between competition authorities through a number of practical projects undertaken by member organizations. The Commissioner of the Competition Bureau, Sheridan Scott, has been elected Chair of the ICN Steering Group and assumed this leadership role in February 2007. CB acts as the Secretariat of this consensus-based and project-oriented organization. ICN membership includes 102 competition agencies in 91 jurisdictions.

International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN)
ICPEN is a network of governmental organizations involved in the enforcement of fair trade practice laws and other consumer protection activities. Members include organizations from 38 countries. The ICPEN mandate is to share information about cross-border commercial activities that may affect consumer interests, and to encourage international cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

CB is a member of the ICPEN Fraud Prevention Month Working Group and also plays an active role in ICPEN's Advisory Group, which advises the Network's Presidency. In April 2008, CB became a member of the new Environmental Issues Working Group.

In addition, CB:

  • negotiates competition provisions in free trade agreements on behalf of Canada to ensure that competition policy values are reflected;
  • negotiates and administers cooperation instruments with other jurisdictions to ensure effective dealings in cross-border anti-competition matters;
  • works with other international organizations (e.g., the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group) to bring an improved understanding of the key role played by sound competition law in a globalizing world;
  • provides outreach and technical assistance — including providing information on Canadian competition policy, law and practices; welcoming visitors from foreign competition authorities and governments; assisting in the development or refinement of foreign competition laws; and providing specific advice on administration or enforcement matters;
  • works collaboratively with other Canadian and US enforcement agencies in partnerships — including the Toronto Strategic Partnership, the Atlantic Partnership, the Alberta Partnership, the Vancouver Strategic Alliance and Project Emptor — to combat cross-border fraud and coordinate cross-border marketing investigations; and with the Binational Working Group on Cross-Border Mass Marketing Fraud and the Project Colt task force, which investigates fraudulent telemarketing operations in Quebec and the northeastern United States; and
  • works in partnership with other agencies to combat health fraud and promote the health and economic well-being of citizens through the Mexico-U.S.-Canada Health Fraud Group.
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Regional Operations Sector

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario is a federal regional development organization in Ontario that works with a variety of partners as both a facilitator and catalyst, to help create an environment in which communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper.

FedNor was created in 1987, and draws its mandate from the Minister of Industry's responsibilities for economic development under the Industry Canada Act. It is part of Industry Canada's Regional Operations Sector.

FedNor is active in two international forums:

Through its international participation, FedNor is able share its knowledge and gain understanding of best international practices for regional development.

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Strategic Policy Sector (SPS)

The Strategic Policy Sector's role in Industry Canada is to work with other sectors to provide the best policy advice to the Minister of Industry in the performance of his legislative responsibilities under the Industry Canada Act and other statutes administered under his authority.

Within SPS, the International and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate (IIAD) is responsible for the description of Industry Canada's international activities. IIAD also maintains a database of the Department's international agreements and participation in international forums, conducts analysis of Industry Canada's international activities, and acts as a contact point for other government departments and outside clients seeking information on Industry Canada's international interests (international_enquiries@ic.gc.ca).

Industry Canada derives the following benefits from SPS' international participation:

  • Industry Canada obtains best practices that represent the latest thinking in complex policy areas, such as micro-economic initiatives, to boost the competitiveness and productivity of Canadian firms. This ensures that policy advice to the Minister and resulting new policies benefit from learning from the best practices of other countries.
  • We contribute our knowledge and skills to promote Canadian views in key areas where international policy convergence contributes to increased international market access for Canadian firms.
  • We contribute Canadian experience on international standards in areas such as intellectual property and patent policy. This promotes the competitiveness of Canadian industry.

The international activities of the Marketplace Framework Policy Branch, the Strategic Policy Branch, the Micro-Economic Policy Analysis Branch, the Telecommunications Policy Branch and the Prosperity Initiative are described below.

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Marketplace Framework Policy Branch

The Marketplace Framework Policy Branch is responsible for maintaining and continually updating laws and regulations in the areas of corporate governance, bankruptcy and insolvency, and intellectual property (such as copyright, patents and trademarks).

The Branch regularly participates in, and occasionally leads, Canadian delegations to the World Intellectual Property Organization. It also participates in the World Trade Organization Council on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

The Branch also participates in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law to provide a Canadian perspective on insolvency law issues, and in the OECD Steering Group on Corporate Governance to provide a Canadian perspective on corporate governance issues. Finally, the Branch participates in the OECD Investment Committee — in particular, its project on "Freedom of Investment, National Security and 'Strategic Industries,'" which provides an international forum for governments to discuss how to preserve and expand an open international investment environment with their duty to safeguard the essential security interests of their people.

Participation in these international activities contributes greatly to ensuring that Canadian marketplace framework laws and regulations keep Canada competitive with its major trading partners. In addition, Canadian know-how assists other countries in developing laws that are compatible with the best international standards.

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Strategic Policy Branch

The Strategic Policy Branch participates in the OECD's Industry Committee, which examines how firms act in the economy across the range of industrial sectors and sub-sectors, such as manufacturing. The Industry Committee's work on growth and sustainable development has had a positive impact on Canadian policy work and initiatives in these areas.

The Branch also participates in the annual General Assembly of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which sets the annual planning of the ISO, reviews international standardization activity and oversees the operation of standards development work. This has provided Canada with the opportunity to promote Canadian standards internationally and to ensure that Canadian firms benefit from the best standards developments.

Through its Trade Policy group, the Branch participates in bilateral trade negotiations, in conjunction with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, by providing industry-specific input on issues pertaining to non-agricultural goods, services and investment. On the multilateral front, the Branch represents Canadian economic interests in negotiations and meetings at the World Trade Organization.

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Micro-Economic Policy Analysis Branch

The Micro-Economic Policy Analysis Branch regularly participates in activities of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. In the context of its Article IV consultations, the IMF annually prepares a report on Canada. Under the lead of the Department of Finance Canada, the Branch coordinates the exchange of briefing materials and views of Industry Canada with the IMF on the performance of the Canadian economy in general and on issues particularly relevant to the mandate of Industry Canada, such as innovation, productivity and the economic union.

Similarly, the Branch participates in the annual visit of the OECD in the context of the Economic Development Review Committee of Canada, also led by the Department of Finance Canada.

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Telecommunications Policy Branch

The Telecommunications Policy Branch formulates policies, recommendations, regulations and legislation governing and promoting the development, efficient operation and competitiveness of the telecommunications facilities and services required by Canadians for national and international communications, including the present and future use of the radio frequency spectrum and use of geostationary orbits.

The Branch develops policy proposals related to the structure of the telecommunications services industry, and to the development and use of Canadian national and international telecommunications facilities and networks, including radio licensing policies and technical standards. As well, it assumes policy development, coordination and representational functions in multilateral and bilateral telecommunications negotiations, and develops business and regulatory policy proposals affecting the telecommunications industry, new media and the Internet.

Within the scope of its mandate and legislation, the Branch actively pursues Canada's interests in multilateral, regional and bilateral forums:

Multilaterally
The Branch regularly participates in multilateral cooperation and occasionally leads Canadian delegations at forums such as the:

Participation in these forums helps to coordinate and advance Canadian government and industry positions, encourages discussion of international marketplace issues and the impact of emerging technologies, and facilitates trade policy issues in the international telecommunications arena. Canada also has a strong oversight and governance role in organizations such as the ITU.

In addition, Canadian participation in the processes of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Government Advisory Committee, and the Internet Governance Forum help to guide Internet governance issues and strengthen Canada's influence internationally.

Regionally
The Branch pursues strategies in the Americas, Asia and Europe through policy and regulatory cooperation, bilateral missions and roundtables for public- and private-sector counterparts, and through promotion of Canadian telecommunications and Internet policy in key regional forums, such as the Inter-American Telecommunication Union, the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation group and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The Branch also advances Canada's interests relating to telecommunications policy as required through regional forums, such as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America and the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Bilaterally
Bilaterally, the Branch develops, coordinates and communicates Canadian telecommunications and trade policies with key existing and emerging trade partners.

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Prosperity Initiative

The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) was launched in March 2005 by North American leaders as a means to improve competitiveness and address common security concerns. The SPP provides a flexible means for dialogue, priority-setting, collaboration and action on issues affecting the security, prosperity and quality of life of Canadians, Americans and Mexicans. It is based on the principle that our security and prosperity are mutually dependent and complementary. The SPP is neither a treaty nor an international agreement, and in no way limits the sovereignty of the three partner countries. At their most recent Summit held in April 2008, North American leaders reinforced their commitment to work together on the following five priority areas:

  1. Enhancing the Global Competitiveness of North America;
  2. Smart and Secure Borders;
  3. Sustainable Energy and the Environment;
  4. Safe Food and Products; and
  5. Emergency Management and Preparedness.

Prosperity Agenda
The Prosperity Agenda of the SPP supports efforts to promote growth and increase the economic opportunities available to Canadians and Canadian companies. It builds on the longstanding relationship between Canada, the US and Mexico to improve the quality of life of all North Americans.

In addition to being the lead for the Government of Canada on the SPP, the Minister of Industry oversees efforts to deliver on the priorities set out in the Prosperity Agenda. The work is coordinated through the SPP Secretariat within the Strategic Policy Sector at Industry Canada. Industry Canada works closely with Public Safety Canada (responsible for the Security Agenda), Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and other departments and agencies responsible for SPP initiatives. For further information, please consult the SPP website at www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/spp-psp.nsf/eng/home.

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Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications Sector (SITT)

The mandate of the Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications sector is to contribute to economic growth and innovation through the development and use of information and communications technologies (ICT) for the economic, social, cultural and civic benefit of all Canadians. This mandate is well grounded in legislation under the Industry Canada Act, the Radiocommunication Act and the Telecommunications Act.

SITT's international involvement has generated significant benefits for Canada in many important areas: regulatory streamlining; influence in the allocation of spectrum for domestic use; knowledge sharing with key countries and organizations; and capacity building and contribution to economic growth resulting from the ICT sector.

SITT's international activities involve:

  • promoting Canadian interests in spectrum, satellite/orbital resources, telecommunications and the Internet;
  • promoting trust and confidence in the Internet economy;
  • ensuring the competitiveness of the Canadian ICT industry; and
  • mainstreaming ICT in the global development agenda.

1. Promoting Canadian interests in spectrum, satellite/orbital resources, telecommunications and the Internet

Within the scope of its mandate and legislation, SITT actively pursues Canada's interests in multilateral, regional and bilateral forums:

Multilaterally

SITT participates in multilateral cooperation and in global standards-setting and spectrum allocation through forums such as:

Participation in these forums helps to build market opportunities for Canadian telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. For example, implementation of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in conformity assessment (government-to-government arrangements that promote the mutual acceptance of conformity assessment procedures for telecommunications equipment) and leadership in the development of a new MRA on technical requirements have helped promote the free flow of telecommunications equipment between Canada and its trading partners.

Canadian leadership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) helps to improve policies for the Internet economy and strengthen Canada's leadership internationally.

Regionally

SITT pursues regional strategies in the Americas, Asia and Europe through policy and regulatory cooperation, bilateral missions and roundtables for public- and private-sector counterparts, and promotion of Canadian telecommunications and Internet policy in key regional forums, such as the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission.

SITT also advances Canada's interests in cross-border issues, ensuring compatibility for spectrum users and securing North American access for Canadian companies through regional forums, such as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, the Enhanced Representation Initiative, Policy Advocacy and Business Development, and the North American Free Trade Agreement, and through mechanisms such as the Radio Technical Liaison Committee.

Bilaterally

Bilaterally, SITT develops, coordinates and communicates Canadian telecommunications and trade policies with key existing and emerging trade partners.

2. Promoting trust and confidence

Canada provides leadership on Internet economy issues in multilateral forums and in bilateral relations with key trade partners. SITT is engaged in international cooperation efforts to address Internet policy issues and emerging threats (e.g., spam/spyware) through cooperation agreements and in multilateral organizations such as the OECD, the London Action Plan, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group and the International Telecommunication Union.

3. Ensuring the competitiveness of the Canadian ICT industry

To help keep Canada a globally competitive location, SITT engages in many activities, including informed advocacy for policy and programs, ensuring the interests of Canada's ICT sector are represented in departmental and government strategies, and increasing awareness of Canadian ICT capabilities in key sectoral markets. Domestic economic growth is influenced through a variety of SITT's international activities, including radio spectrum management and convergence of radiocommunications and telecommunications services internationally.

4. Mainstreaming ICT in the global development agenda

SITT's recognized expertise leads to calls for bilateral assistance in regulatory matters, as well as in development issues. SITT offers Canadian leadership and expertise in several global development initiatives, such as the Global Alliance on ICT4D, the Internet Governance Forum and activities following the World Summit on the Information Society.

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Science and Innovation Sector (SIS)

The Science and Innovation Sector provides policy advice to the Minister of Industry on a broad range of science and technology (S&T) and innovation issues. SIS is active internationally to ensure that ministerial advice is well informed by the latest thinking and research on the role of governments in fostering S&T and innovation. At the same time, SIS brings Canadian policy and data expertise to international organizations so that Canada's major trading partners and emerging economies can benefit from the Canadian experience on these complex policy matters.

External Relations Directorate

The External Relations Directorate (ERD), Science and Innovation Sector, is responsible for Industry Canada's science, technology and innovation (STI) policy relations with governments abroad. ERD manages the government's STI policy responsibilities and obligations in both bilateral and multilateral forums, and provides expertise on the science and innovation systems of key target countries.

ERD takes the lead in supporting the Minister of Industry's participation in the G8 Ministerial-Level Meeting on Science and Technology, a new annual event at which senior STI ministers from G8 and invited outreach countries discuss cooperation on a range of STI issues of mutual interest. ERD also represents the Government of Canada on the OECD's Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy, the OECD Working Party on Innovation and Technology Policy, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Industrial Science and Technology Working Group. In addition, ERD undertakes research and analysis on the science and innovation systems of key foreign markets, contributing to the Science and Innovation Sector's policy development agenda.

The Directorate works closely with Industry Portfolio partners, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and other science-based departments and agencies in the management of IC's STI collaboration with foreign countries, and in the development of new international STI-related policies and programs.

Policy Branch

The Global Science Forum (GSF) is composed of senior science policy officials from OECD countries. Its goal is to identify and explore opportunities for international cooperation in basic scientific research, to define international frameworks for vital national or regional science policy decisions, and to address the scientific dimensions of issues of global concern.

Together with a representative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, a representative of the Policy Branch participates in biannual discussions of the GSF concerning issues of importance to the scientific research and development community. The Canadian delegation facilitates the participation of Canadians in GSF working groups, workshops, surveys and studies, as appropriate.

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Date Modified: 2011-11-08

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