2007-2008 Estimates — Report on Plans and Priorities

Table 14: Horizontal Initiatives

Horizontal Initiative

Canadian Biotechnology Strategy (CBS)	Name of Lead Department(s):
	Industry Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Environment Canada, Health Canada, Natural Resources Canada, National Research Council Canada
Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative	End Date of the Horizontal Initiative
1998	2007
Total Federal Funding Allocation (1999 to 2007) ($ millions): $453.8
Description of the Horizontal Initiative
The vision of the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy (CBS) is to “enhance the quality of life of Canadians in terms of health, safety, the environment and social and economic development by positioning Canada as a responsible world leader in biotechnology.”
Acting within the CBS pillars of stewardship, citizen engagement and innovation, this document reports on three strategic initiatives: the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy (CBS) Fund, the Canadian Regulatory System for Biotechnology (CRSB) and the Genomics Research and Development (Genomics R&D) program. Each of these initiatives focuses on a different aspect of Canada's biotechnology-related priorities, involving separate program management and resource allocation, as well as the profiling of initiatives that are linked through the CBS governance structure.
Shared Outcome(s)
Biotechnology applications are influencing the way our society and economy are evolving. The pace of science is presenting great opportunities for new markets and new solutions to the challenges of humankind. However, these advances also present choices and challenges that demand an effective and forward-looking regulatory system.
The shared outcome of the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy is to ensure that the Government of Canada exercises its responsibilities to ensure that biotechnology will continue to enhance Canadians' quality of life in terms of health, safety, the environment and social and economic development.
Each CBS initiative focuses on different aspects of the strategy.
CBS Fund The CBS Fund provides core policy and management funding for the CBS. The fund enables leading-edge, cross-cutting policy development and analysis to the signatory departments and agencies to the CBS. It also provides funds for the expert arm's-length advice provided to the government by the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC). The CBS Fund supports horizontal management, accountability and results reporting.
For 2007–2008, $1.75 million will be allocated to ensuring that biotechnology is well positioned with the Government of Canada's science and technology objectives. It will also support core functions, including web-based information and knowledge.
CRSB The Canadian Regulatory System for Biotechnology (CRSB) was established in 2000 to enhance Canada's regulatory capacity and to ensure that Canadians have an efficient, credible and well-respected biotechnology regulatory system that safeguards health and the environment as a priority and, thereby, permits safe and effective products to enter the market.
The strategic objectives of the CRSB are to meet technical capacity and human resource needs; improve public awareness of, and confidence in, the regulatory system; increase efficiency, effectiveness and timeliness of the regulatory system; and generate knowledge to support the regulatory system.
Genomics R&D Biotechnology research related to genome sciences (the study of genes and their interactions) continues to provide new methods for managing agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, enhance stewardship and conservation activities, and develop new methods of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. In 2007–2008, six departments and agencies (NRC, AAFC, HC, NRCan, EC, and DFO) will continue to participate in the Genomics R&D Initiative.
The objective of the Genomics R&D program is to build the capacity inside government laboratories to do this new type of biotechnology research, which will strengthen the regulatory system and bring the benefits of revolutionary advances in research and technology to a variety of Canadian industrial sectors and regions. The new technologies are having a dramatic impact on industrial competitiveness and economic growth. They are also expected to bring significant social benefits, e.g., better therapeutics, a cleaner environment and better management of natural resources.

Federal Partners Involved in Each Program	Names of Programs	Total Allocation 1999–2007 ($ millions)	Planned Spending for 2007–2008 ($ millions)
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)	(a) CBS Fund	$3.2	$0.0
	(b) Genomics R&D	$47.0	$6.0
Canadian Biotechnology Secretariat	(a) CBS Fund	$4.7	$1.81
	(b) CBSec, CBAC, Emerging Issues Fund and departmental allowance for reporting	$25.2	2
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)	(a) CBS Fund	$7.0	$0.0
	(b) CRSB	$66.5	$11.28
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada	(a) CBS Fund	$2.4	$0.0
Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)	(a) CBS Fund	$2.7	$0.0
	(b) CRSB	$9.4	$1.5
	(c) Genomics R&D	$7.0	$0.9
Environment Canada (EC)	(a) CBS Fund	$5.8	$0.0
	(b) CRSB	$11.4	$1.6
	(c) Genomics R&D	$8.0	$1.0
Health Canada (HC)	(a) CBS Fund	$4.9	$0.0
	(b) CRSB	$121.7	$19.0
	(c) Genomics R&D	$30.0	$4.0
Industry Canada (IC)/Life Sciences Branch	(a) CBS Fund	$3.9	$0.0
	(b) CRSB	$1.1	$0.2
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)	(a) CBS Fund	$2.5	$0.0
	(b) CRSB	$8.1	$1.1
	(c) Genomics R&D	$15.0	$2.0
Justice Canada	(a) CBS Fund	$1.9	$0.0
National Research Council (NRC)	(a) CBS Fund	$3.7	$0.0
	(b) Genomics R&D	$47.0	$6.0
Statistics Canada (StatCan)	(a) CBS Fund	$2.9	$0.0
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)3	(a) Genomics R&D	$0.5	$0.0
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)	(a) CBS Fund	$0.1	$0.0
Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC)	(a) CBS Fund	$0.1	$0.0
	Total	$394.5	$64.1
Horizontal Results Expected for 2007–2008
CBS Fund Interdepartmental coordination to advance biotechnology priorities Increase use of BioPortal and feedback on quality Ensure a strong foundation of information and appropriate knowledge-management mechanisms to support decision making CBAC Completion of CBAC commentary on the Expert Panel Report entitled BioPromise: Biotechnology, Sustainable Development and Canada's Future Economy CRSB Improved priority setting, and research and evidence-based decision making (by the participating departments/agency) Improved capacity (technical and human resources) to respond to public health, plant protection, animal health and environmental protection issues Improved coordination, synchronization, standards and sharing of resources with partners Improved awareness, support and compliance by industry, stakeholders and other affected parties Improved transparency, awareness and involvement in biotechnology issues, including improved healthy choices and informed decision making by the public Increased awareness of the regulatory system through tools such as consultations, fact sheets, decision documents and increased Internet presence Genomics R&D Commercially relevant advances in areas of genomics R&D related to human health (e.g., genetic testing, diagnostics, microbial genomic applications, treating and preventing human diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, and pathogen detection) Improvements in crop value in cereals, soybean and canola through quality improvements in areas related to plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g., resistance to disease, tolerance to drought and cold), as well as seed development and metabolism (e.g., related to oil content for biofuels and nutraceutical applications) Sustainable management of aquatic resources through the use and development of genomics tools to manage fishery openings; generate increased understanding of population genetics and structure; further understanding of behavioural, physiological and immunological responses to the environment; and through the management of aquatic animal diseases Positioning the Canadian regulatory system for health to enable innovation while minimizing the risks to Canadians through a focused genomics R&D program aimed at strengthening capacity in priority areas such as genetic information, biotechnology products, human genomics and microbial genomics, on human, animal and environmental health Increased knowledge for forest generation and protection methods, and for addressing environmental impact considerations, through a focused genomics R&D effort on species and traits that are of economic importance to Canada Development of genome-science applications to support regulatory and enforcement activities in key areas such as environmental risk assessment and management; enforcement and compliance; pollution detection, monitoring and prevention; conservation biology and wildlife genetics; technology forecasting and assessment; and the responsible and sustainable development and use of bio-based products and industrial processes

Contact Information	Approved by:	Date Approved
CBS: Glenn Kendall 613-954-2412	CBS: Glenn Kendall
CRSB: Bruce Smith smith@hc-sc.gc.ca 613-941-2175	CRSB: Bruce Smith
Genomics: Gary Fudge Gary.Fudge@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca 613-949-0542	Genomics: Gary Fudge

1. At time of writing, the CBS fund allocation for 2006–2007 was $4.67 million.
2. At the time of writing, the planned spending allocation for 2007–2008 was unknown. The final figure is subject to a Treasury Board submission.
3. CIHR was created in 2000. Its predecessor, the Medical Research Council, received a one-time allocation in 1999–2000 to assist in the establishment and support of a Genome Canada Secretariat.

Horizontal Initiative

Canada Business Network

Name of Lead Department(s): Industry Canada Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Western Economic Diversification Canada Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative	End Date of the Horizontal Initiative	Total Federal Funding Allocation ($ millions)
Canada Business Network Funding originally started in 1995 under Canada Business Service Centres (CBSC) (February 9, 1995 TB 822499). Most recent renewal for period 2007–2008 to 2008–2009.	March 2009	$211 (since 1995)
Business Gateway Funding originally started in 2000 to March 31, 2006 (Policy and funding approval: Government On-Line funding via TBS initially / PWGSC – Gateways and Clusters)		$6.8 (historical)
		Total: $217.8
Description of the Horizontal Initiative
Canada Business was established to improve service to small business and start-up entrepreneurs by providing a comprehensive first stop for information on government services, programs and compliance requirements from federal and provincial/territorial levels of government.
On behalf of the Government of Canada and its partners, Canada Business delivers a host of information products and resources through a variety of channels across Canada (web, in-person, telephone). Through its collaboration with the provinces and territories, information products and resources are supplemented by jurisdictionally relevant content — providing a truly client-centred, integrated information service.
Shared Outcomes
Increased awareness and access to government business-related information, programs and services and facilitated compliance for business. Increased use of self-service channels. Reduced complexity in accessing programs and services and compliance requirements for SMEs. Improved SME business planning and market research.
Governance Structure
The Canada Business Network is managed on behalf of the federal government by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Industry Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
The lead organizations are responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal policies affecting program delivery in a collaborative environment, particularly policies on topics such as official languages, accessibility, access to information and privacy, federal identity, and alternative service delivery.

Federal Partners Involved in Each Program	Names of Programs	Total Allocation 1999–2007 ($ millions)	Planned Spending for 2007–2008 ($ millions)	Horizontal Results Expected for 2007–2008
IC	Canada Business Network	$85.9	$6.5	Increase awareness and access to government business-related information, programs and services and facilitated compliance for business. Increase use of self-service channels. Reduced complexity in accessing programs and services and compliance requirements for SMEs. Improved SME business planning and market research.
ACOA	Canada Business Network	$33.4	$2.6	Increase awareness and access to government business-related information, programs and services and facilitated compliance for business. Increase use of self-service channels. Reduced complexity in accessing programs and services and compliance requirements for SMEs. Improved SME business planning and market research.
WD	Canada Business Network	$46.0	$4.0	Increase awareness and access to government business-related information, programs and services and facilitated compliance for business. Increase use of self-service channels. Reduced complexity in accessing programs and services and compliance requirements for SMEs. Improved SME business planning and market research.
CED	Canada Business Network	$21.3	$1.9	Increase awareness and access to government business-related information, programs and services and facilitated compliance for business. Increase use of self-service channels. Reduced complexity in accessing programs and services and compliance requirements for SMEs. Improved SME business planning and market research.
Total		$186.6	$15.0

Contact Information	Approved by:	Date Approved
Marcie Girouard, Executive Director, Canada Business	Mitch Davies, Director General, Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector