ARCHIVED - Industry Canada

Canada is signatory to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) treaty agreement negotiated every four years at a plenipotentiary conference, in accordance with its treaty obligations of the ITU Constitution and Convention. Canada's membership, contribution and standing in the ITU, and its involvement in related events, allow this country to achieve results internationally across a broad range of issues affecting radiocommunication, standardization and telecommunication development. Canada's contribution to the ITU is commensurate with its international standing and commitment to the United Nations and UN specialized agencies.

A fair, efficient and competitive marketplace

Membership allows Canada to achieve results across a broad range of issues affecting the international management of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, the efficient and timely production of international standards, and the facilitation of connectivity in developing countries to help bridge the digital divide to the benefit of Canadian users and producers of telecommunication services and equipment.

This program's objective is to provide funding support for strategic research and development that will produce economic, social and environmental benefits to Canadians. Although Technology Partnerships Canada's terms and conditions expired on December 31, 2006, and no further projects were contracted, there remain contribution agreements with companies that must be managed according to their specific terms and conditions.

An Innovative Economy

Investment in research and development activities in the aerospace, defence, environmental and enabling technology industries.

The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) provides contributions to industrial research and pre–competitive development in the aerospace and defence sectors. Key objectives include encouraging research and development that will result in innovation and excellence in new products and services; enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian aerospace and defence companies; and fostering collaboration between research institutes, universities and colleges and the private sector.

An Innovative Economy

• Innovative and competitive aerospace, defence, space and security (A&D) firms.
• Investment in strategic research and development activities in the aerospace, defence, space and security industries.
• Collaborative partnerships on research and development between aerospace, defence, space and security industries and research institutes, universities, colleges and not-for-profit organizations development.

Internal Audit (planned for 2008–2009)
Implementation Review (start of 2008–2009)
Formative Evaluation — Mid-term (end of 2009–2010)
Summative Evaluation — End of term (Dec. 31, 2011)

This program provides funding support for new hydrogen technology demonstration projects. In doing so, it fosters the development and early adoption of hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies into the marketplace.

The h2EA program is being wound down, and new project outlines are no longer being accepted.

An Innovative Economy

• Hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies adopted by the market
• Investment in adaptation and adoption activities in the hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies industry

Summative Evaluation began January 2007. Final report expected in 2008

The Program for Strategic Industrial Projects (PSIP) provides a framework within which a variety of larger strategic investments are administered in the Canadian automotive sector to broaden economic benefits, environmental improvements and sustainable industrial development.

An Innovative Economy

Investment in technology adaptation and adoption activities in the automotive industry

Evaluation (by December 31, 2010)

A one–time grant of $12 million to the Corporation of the City of Brantford to be used for the planned remediation of the Mohawk–Greenwich brownfield site. Brownfields are abandoned or underused land, often in urban areas, that formerly housed industrial or commercial facilities. Redevelopment of brownfield land is generally complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination, and by liability or financing issues related to the toxic contamination. There has been significant private sector interest in the Mohawk–Greenwich brownfield site from both developers and the environmental remediation industry; however, the project is not financially viable for the private sector without financial assistance' from government.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

Remediation of the Mohawk–Greenwich brownfield site

Prior to advancing federal funds, a reasonable project plan, project partners, and financial commitments must be substantially in place and provided to Industry Canada. The initial payment of the grant will not exceed the first six months of the project's cash flow requirements. A second advance payment will be linked to substantial progress towards milestones.

The Canada–Ontario Infrastructure Program (COIP) uses a competitive process to provide funding assistance to municipalities for the construction, renewal, expansion of material enhancement of infrastructure that will contribute to improving the quality of life for Ontarians and to building the foundation for sustained, long–term economic growth in the 21st century.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

Improved community infrastructure in Ontario

An audit was completed in fiscal year 2007–2008 and there will be a follow-up on the audit in fiscal year 2008–2009.

The objective of the Canadian Apparel and Textile Industries Program (CATIP) is to assist Canadian apparel and textile firms with initiatives that will help to maximize productivity, identify high-value niche markets, improve e-commerce initiatives, enhance global marketing and branding strategies, and facilitate access to capital. The program has a firm component (private sector applicants) and a national initiatives component (not-for-profit industry associations that represent either the apparel or textile sectors on a national scale). The CATIP firm component was closed in 2005. Since 2004, the program has also had a production efficiency component (CANtex) targeted toward textile producers and, in 2005, introduced a transformative component for textile companies wanting to re-orient at least a portion of their current textile production from lesser value-added products to higher value-added textile products targeted at growth niche markets.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

Firms in the service and consumer products industries are enabled (i.e. enabled to invest or offer attractive sales terms)

A recipient audit is scheduled for 2008–2009.
A summative evaluation is scheduled for 2009–2010.

* The Community Access Program (CAP) was to end on March 31, 2007. The program received Cabinet approval to operate for 2007–2008 at reduced levels. As in 2006–2007, Industry Canada internally reallocated funding necessary for the successful delivery of a national program. The government is presently reviewing the future of CAP and a decision about future spending is forthcoming.

CAP was established under the government's Connecting Canadians initiative to provide affordable access to the Internet and the services and tools it provides. The program's goal was to have all Canadians and communities participate fully in the knowledge-based economy. CAP sites are located in schools, libraries, community centres and friendship centres, and they operate through partnerships with provincial/territorial governments and non-profit organizations. CAP also has a complementary youth component, the CAP Youth Initiative, which is funded through Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC's) Youth Employment Strategy (YES). For more information regarding YES, please see the Horizontal Initiatives table in HRSDC's Report on Plans and Priorities.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

The Community Access Program provides Internet access to Canadians who are most affected by the digital divide, such as individuals with low incomes, Aboriginals, rural residents, francophones, Canadians with limited education, recent immigrants and people with disabilities.

The Community Futures (CF) Program supports community economic development and builds the capacity of non-metropolitan communities to realize their full sustainable potential. Funding is made available through transfer payments that provide contributions to designated Community Futures organizations in support of repayable business financing through local investment funds, strategic community planning and socio-economic development, business services, and community-based projects and special initiatives.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

Communities and businesses in rural Ontario are sustainable and competitive

A summative evaluation of the Ontario CF Program is scheduled to be completed by June 2008. Results from this evaluation will roll into the national CF Program evaluation to be completed by March 2009.

The Eastern Ontario Development Program promotes socio-economic development in Eastern Ontario that leads to business and job opportunities, sustainable self-reliant communities, and a competitive and diversified regional economy. Delivered through Community Futures Development Corporations in Eastern Ontario, the program makes funding available through transfer payments to provide contributions in five areas: business and community development, access to capital, skills development, retention and attraction of youth, and technological enhancement.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

Communities and businesses in rural Eastern Ontario are sustainable and competitive

There are no planned evaluations or audits for this program.

The Northern Ontario Development Program promotes economic development and diversification in Northern Ontario. It builds upon the assets and strengths of communities to maximize the sustainable potential of Northern Ontario to succeed in the knowledge-based economy. Funding through transfer payments provides contributions to not-for-profit organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises in six areas: information and communications technology, innovation, community economic development, business financing support, trade and tourism and human capital.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

Communities and businesses in Northern Ontario are sustainable and competitive

A formative evaluation is scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2008, and a summative evaluation is scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2011.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

To promote regional economic development in specific small and rural Ontario municipalities

There are no planned evaluations or audits for this program.

A draft audit report is expected on March 31, 2008.
There is a planned follow-up audit scheduled for 2009–2010.
An evaluation of the program was completed in fiscal year 2007–2008.
A summative evaluation of the renewed SFF will be completed by December 31, 2010.

The Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBF) is a key federal financing program for small business. It helps small and medium–sized business get access to adequate financing. It also helps fill a gap in the range of financing instruments available to these small businesses, which otherwise have difficulty qualifying for financing that meets their needs.

Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities

• Facilitate access to more than $1 billion in debt financing
• Increase awareness of CSBF Program among lenders, SMEs and intermediaries
• Continuous communication with financial institutions to improve program delivery

An audit is planned for 2008–2009.

An evaluation is planned for 2009–2010.