2007-2008 Estimates — Report on Plans and Priorities

Table 13: Industry Canada Conditional Grants (Foundations)

An Innovative Economy

Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)

Start Date:  April 25, 1997 End Date:  2010 Total Funding ($ millions) $3,730.0

Description The CFI is an arm's length, independent corporation that funds research infrastructure. The CFI's mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.

Strategic Outcome An innovative economy

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient CFI's objectives for 2007–2008 are to: Plan and monitor investments in collaboration with partners and stakeholders Plan and collaboratively invest in state-of-the-art research infrastructure to support world-class research that spurs innovation and improves competitiveness Implement strategic cross-disciplinary investments to meet national infrastructure needs Contribute to Canada's international leadership position by strengthening existing investments in research infrastructure Maintain strong accountability mechanisms, including evaluations

Planned Audits and Evaluations CFI has scheduled the following third-party evaluation activities for 2007–2008: New Opportunities Fund evaluation to be finalized by March 2007 International Fund interim evaluation to begin in 2007 Innovation Fund final evaluation to begin in 2007 Implementation of a new evaluation approach: Outcome Assessment Visits Other evaluation activities include: Annual analysis of project progress reports from more than 3,100 projects A performance evaluation of the CFI (in compliance with CFI's Funding Agreement)

Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIAR)

Start Date:  April 1, 2002 End Date:  March 31, 2007 Total Funding ($ millions) $25.0

Description CIAR is a not-for-profit corporation that supports networks of some of the best Canadian and international researchers in conducting long-term research on scientific, social and economic issues of vital importance to Canada.

Strategic Outcome An innovative economy

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient In 2007–2008, CIAR plans to continue to support its existing research programs in earth system evolution; evolutionary biology; cosmology and gravity; nanoelectronics; quantum information processing; experience-based brain and biological development; genetic networks; institutions, organizations and growth; neural computation and adaptive perception; quantum materials; social interactions, identity and well-being; and successful societies. CIAR plans to continue its effective communications and outreach work.

Planned Audits and Evaluations An evaluation of CIAR was completed in March 2005. There are currently no additional reviews planned for the reporting period.

CANARIE — CA*net 5

Start Date:  March 2007 End Date:  March 31, 2012 Total Funding ($ millions) $120.0

Description CANARIE develops, operates and maintains CA*net 5, Canada's next-generation advanced research network. CA*net 5 provides researchers across Canada with high-speed, optical networking capability.

Strategic Outcome An innovative economy

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient CANARIE plans for CA*net 5 include network operation and technology development to maintain CA*net 5 as a leading-edge research network. CANARIE will continue to operate and develop the next-generation network and increase access to CA*net 5 through collaborative arrangements with provincial/territorial and regional research networks. This will enable the country's researchers to participate in research activities across Canada and around the world.

Planned Audits and Evaluations A compliance audit is planned for 2007–2008.

Council of Canadian Academies (CCA)

Start Date:  July 2005 End Date:  2015 Total Funding ($ millions) $30.0

Description The Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) is an arm's length, not-for-profit organization that was established to assess the state of scientific knowledge underpinning key public policy issues. Its founding members are the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. The Government of Canada provided a $30 million one-time conditional grant in July 2005 from Budget 2005, which entitles the government to five assessments per year at no additional cost. Each assessment will likely take 18 months to two years to complete.

Strategic Outcome An innovative economy

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient The CCA conducted its first assessment on Canada's science and technology strengths in the summer of 2006 and published the results of the study in The State of Science & Technology in Canada (September 2006). In early 2007, the CCA will launch three new assessments on gas hydrate research, groundwater and nanotechnology. The assessments undertaken for the federal government will normally not contain specific policy recommendations. Rather, they will report on the relevant science — identifying both what is known (or at least strongly believed) and where there are gaps in our knowledge. Such findings will be relevant for policy decisions in cases where scientific factors play a significant role.

Planned Audits and Evaluations The Minister of Industry has undertaken to ensure that a compliance audit is conducted by June 30, 2007 (the audit, originally scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2006, was postponed because of initial delays in setting up the Council). The Minister has undertaken to ensure that a value-for-money audit is performed at least once during the period of April 1, 2005, to March 31, 2010.

Genome Canada

Start Date:  March 2000 End Date:  March 2008 Total Funding ($ millions) $0.6

Description Genome Canada is an independent corporation with five regional genomics centres across Canada. Genome Canada, the primary funding and information resource concerned with genomics and proteomics in Canada, is enabling Canada to become a world leader in key areas such as agriculture, environment, fisheries, forestry, health and new technology development, as well as ethical, environmental, economic, legal, and social issues related to genomics (GE3LS).

Strategic Outcome An innovative economy

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient The 2006–2009 period will focus on the following: elaborating Canada's world-class research strength in life sciences through continued investment in large-scale genomics and proteomics research projects; and continuing to provide information and education on genomics and proteomics to the public. Genome Canada will continue to develop regional and sectoral strengths, contribute to the sustainability of traditional industries, leverage international dollars and knowledge through international consortia, create products and jobs, contribute to the “brain gain,” make cost-effective world-class S&T platforms available to the genomics research community, and contribute to health and environmental improvements.

Planned Audits and Evaluations There are no planned audits or evaluations.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation

Start Date:  March 31, 2002 End Date:  Ongoing Total Funding ($ millions) $125.0

Description To support research and the dissemination of research findings in the humanities and human sciences, such as Canadian studies, history, international relations, journalism, law, peace and conflict studies, philosophy, political economy, political science, sociology, and urban and community studies.

Strategic Outcome An innovative economy

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient In 2007–2008, the Foundation will issue the following awards: 5 fellowships, 15 scholarships and 12 mentorships. In fall 2007, the Foundation will host an academic conference to promote the dissemination of research findings.

Planned Audits and Evaluations The first evaluation of the Foundation is due March 2009. After the first evaluation, one is required every five years thereafter.

Precarn Incorporated, Phase 4

Start Date:  April 1, 2005 End Date:  March 2010 Total Funding ($ millions) $20.0

Description Precarn is Canada's national organization for the development and commercialization of intelligent systems and robotics. In the model Precarn uses for commercializing R&D, a private-sector technology developer enters into a collaborative relationship with both an end-user of the technology and a university or research institute.

Strategic Outcome An innovative economy

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient Precarn plans to upgrade the global competitiveness and innovation capacity of Canadian companies by structuring and managing collaborative R&D partnerships among technology-development companies, Canada's leading university researchers, and end-system users that can test and prove the prototype in real-life settings. It will also help companies to manage the risk of developing new products by using a thorough peer review to vet proposals and ensuring that developers get feedback from first-time users. The organization will supply Canadian firms with key talent and future employees through Precarn's long-standing relationship with co-op programs in universities and colleges.

Planned Audits and Evaluations A compliance audit for Phase 4 was completed and submitted to Industry Canada by June 30, 2006. The evaluation for Phase 3 found the program to be a very effective tool for assisting in the start-up of medium and small companies by increasing their ability to commercialize R&D. Precarn was also greatly valued by small companies for its assistance in project management and planning.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)

Start Date:  April 1, 2002 End Date:  September 2009 Total Funding ($ millions) $17.5

Description To support and develop youth entrepreneurship. The youth business program provides loans, mentorship support and an interactive website to entrepreneurs between 18 and 34 years of age.

Strategic Outcome Competitive industry and sustainable communities

Summary of Annual Plans of Recipient The grant will be used to continue and to further expand the CYBF's programs supporting young Canadians who see entrepreneurship as a viable option, but who would not typically be supported by traditional lending institutions. In addition to the provision of loans, the program aims to enhance the fundamental business skills required to run a successful business. The CYBF will increase the number of new community partners by 25 percent (ensuring that at least half are new Aboriginal partners), augment its support and reach into local communities, establish new in-house mentoring programs and services, enhance and expand its "Business Start-Up" financing program, and implement a multi-tiered marketing and outreach strategy to increase the number of participants in the program, as well as the number of sponsors.

Planned Audits and Evaluations An evaluation measuring the overall performance of the CYBF in achieving its objectives will be conducted by an independent third-party by September 2009. The CYBF will make its annual report available to the public, in both official languages, within six months after the end of each fiscal year. The report also includes the annual audited financial statements reviewed by a professionally certified external accountant/auditor.