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Canada's Economic Action Plan
Creating the Economy of Tomorrow
June 2009
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Many Canadian communities, businesses and workers have been seriously affected by the economic slowdown. That is why our Government brought forward Canada's Economic Action Plan. It is a clear blueprint to stimulate the economy, protect Canadian jobs and support those hit hardest. It is delivering $62 billion in stimulus, among the largest of the Group of Seven (G7) economies.
The Government is delivering on Canada's Economic Action Plan today, when it is needed the most. It will provide a boost to output and employment. It is an investment in our future.
The Plan:
- Reduces taxes permanently.
- Helps the unemployed through enhanced Employment Insurance and training programs.
- Avoids layoffs by enhancing the Employment Insurance work-sharing program.
- Creates jobs through a massive injection of infrastructure spending.
- Helps create the economy of tomorrow by improving infrastructure at colleges and universities and supporting research and technology.
- Supports industries and communities most affected by the global downturn.
- Improves access to and the affordability of financing for Canadian households and businesses.
Canada as a Science and Technology Leader
Investing in science, research and development helps to create high-value jobs for Canadians, and it improves our quality of life. For example, through science and technology investments, we develop more nutritious foods; cleaner environmentally friendly technologies; and even new medical treatments that save lives.
Our Government's commitment to science and technology leadership was demonstrated through Advantage Canada, our long-term economic plan, and Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage, our comprehensive science and technology strategy.
Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on this record by investing another $5.1B in new funding for initiatives that will strengthen Canada's science and technology leadership.
Canada's Economic Action Plan invested in Canada's science and technology future by providing:
- $2 billion over two years for deferred maintenance and repair projects at Canada's colleges and universities.
- $750 million to support the modernization of research infrastructure at research institutions across Canada through the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
- $30 million over two years to the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program to help companies hire over 1,000 new post-secondary graduates in business and science.
- $50 million to the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo to help establish a world-class research facility.
- $87.5 million over three years to expand the Canada Graduate Scholarships program.
- $85 million over two years for key Arctic research facilities.
- $1 billion over five years for a green infrastructure fund to support the development of clean energy research and demonstration.
- $110 million over three years to support Canada's continued leadership in the design and construction of space robotics.
The Government has invested over $2.2 billion in new science and technology measures since 2006, including significant new support for advanced research at Canadian colleges and universities. Canada's investments in research and development in the higher education sector relative to the economy are now the highest in the Group of Seven, and second in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, providing us with a rich source of new ideas and creating unique training opportunities for young Canadians.
Since 2006, the Government has increased its annual support for the granting councils by a total of about $400 million. This has included new funding for research competitions to identify the best ideas, advanced training, and the translation and application of new knowledge. Overall, the total planned spending of the granting councils will rise to about $2.7 billion in 2009–10 compared to actual spending of $2.2 billion in 2005–06.
Action to Invest in Post-Secondary Education and Research
Knowledge Infrastructure
Up-to-date research equipment and facilities help attract and retain the best scientists in Canada, and help young researchers develop their talents at the leading edge of scientific discovery. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides up to $2 billion to address deferred maintenance and repair projects at post-secondary institutions, including colleges and universities. Preference will be given to projects that can improve the quality of research and development at the institution. Preferred projects at colleges will strengthen their ability to deliver advanced knowledge and skills training.
"On behalf of the entire University community, I thank both governments sincerely for this important investment. It will make a world of difference in our ability to build the infrastructure our students and faculty need. This investment is a major contribution towards our efforts to create a world class research and learning environment for both students and faculty."
of Ottawa, May 25, 2009
Colleges and universities that are benefiting from theinfrastructure funds include:
- St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia: $11.3 million will be used to renovate science labs and install new information technology labs and business research spaces.
- The New Caledonia campus in Prince George, B.C.: $9.8 million will be used to install energy efficient systems, build new classrooms and instructor offices, renovate a multi-purpose lab and rebuild the college's trades training centre.
- Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario: $35 million to the Environmental Demonstration Centre for Construction Trades and Building Bridges.
- Yukon College will receive $2 million from the federal government for the construction of facilities at the Dawson City campus and the Pelly Crossing campus.
- The College of the North Atlantic in Newfoundland and Labrador will receive nearly $13 million from the federal government for three projects, including the construction of a new campus in Labrador City, roof and ventilation upgrade on the Prince Philip Drive campus, and building envelope and ventilation upgrade at the Seal Cove campus.
- The University of Winnipeg in Manitoba will receive more than $18 million from the federal government for its Science Complex and College for the Environment.
Canada Foundation for Innovation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) supports advanced research infrastructure and facilities in universities, colleges and research hospitals across Canada. In order to accelerate investments in leading-edge facilities and equipment, Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $150 million to increase the funding available for meritorious projects in the CFI's current major competitions. Canada's Economic Action Plan also included $600 million for future activities of the Foundation, including the launch of one or more new competitions by December 2010.
Institute for Quantum Computing
Canada is a pioneer in the emerging field of quantum computing. Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $50 million to the Institute for Quantum Computing based at the University of Waterloo. This new funding will support the construction and establishment of a world-class research facility that will help position Canada for leadership in this exciting field.
Arctic Research
Creating a more sustainable society and economy in the Arctic is important to Canada's sovereignty and the lives of northerners. Scientific research contributes to a stronger economy and society in the North. Canada's Economic Action Plan created the Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund, with $85 million over two years, to maintain or upgrade key research facilities in the Arctic. This will help create jobs and economic activity in communities while increasing our understanding of our great northern frontier. In March, our Government announced the 20 successful projects to be supported under the Fund, including both federal and non-federal research facilities.
Helping Young Canadians Acquire Advanced Skills
Training at the graduate and post-graduate levels increases the contributions that young Canadians can make to the economy and society, and improves their ability to find work. To help train the next generation of highly skilled workers, Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $87.5 million over three years for the three granting councils to enhance the Canada Graduate Scholarships program. This program enables the most promising Canadian students to pursue graduate studies at the masters and doctoral levels.
Investing in Science and Technology
Modernizing Federal Laboratories
Research on health, food, natural resources and a wide range of issues that impact Canadians' lives is carried out by the scientists in Canada's federal laboratories. Providing well-maintained and modern laboratories will contribute to better research. Canada's Economic Action Plan allocated $250 million over two years to address deferred maintenance at federal laboratories and scientific facilities across Canada. To date, $234 million over two years has been approved for over 70 projects at 13 different federal departments. Projects must be completed by March 31, 2011, and will focus on laboratories that contribute to core regulatory responsibilities of the Government, such as health and food safety.
Laboratories where investments have been made under this process include:
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Dartmouth Laboratory in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's Saint-Hyacinthe Laboratory in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.
- Natural Resources Canada's Great Lakes Forestry Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
- Health Canada's Manitoba Regional Laboratory in Winnipeg.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Salmonid Enhancement Program facilities throughout British Columbia.
- The National Research Council (NRC) will receive $19 million over two years to modernize 28 of its facilities in 7 provinces—including $3.7 million for the Institute for Aerospace Research to reduce noise and air emissions at its Ottawa facility, and $1.2 million to address deferred maintenance at the NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute in Saskatoon.
Transformation to a Green Energy Economy
Clean energy has immense potential to bolster Canada's status as an energy superpower, driving investment and creating new jobs while contributing to our environmental objectives. To support Canada's leadership in clean energy, Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $1 billion over five years to support clean energy technologies. This includes $150 million over five years for research, and $850 million over five years for the development and demonstration of promising technologies, including large-scale carbon capture and storage projects. This support is expected to generate a total investment in clean technologies of at least $2.5 billion over the next five years.
Canada's Space Industry
The Canadian Space Agency works with the private sector to develop world-leading new space technologies, such as the Canadarm, which help open new markets and create exciting opportunities for highly skilled Canadians. Canada's Economic Action Plan provided the Canadian Space Agency with $110 million over three years so that it can contribute to the development of advanced space robotics, such as terrestrial prototypes for robotic space vehicles. This will allow Canada to continue to leverage our expertise and maintain a role in international space missions.
Currently, Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk is aboard the International Space Station as part of a six-month mission, the longest period a Canadian has ever spent in space.
Broadband
Broadband Internet access enables citizens, businesses and institutions to access information, services and opportunities that could otherwise be out of reach, especially in small rural and remote communities. The Economic Action Plan included $225 million over three years to extend broadband Internet services to as many unserved and underserved households in Canada as possible, especially in rural and remote communities. Work is underway to identify the remaining broadband gaps in Canada, with a call for applications expected in late summer or early fall.
Helping Small and Medium-Sized Companies Innovate
Innovative small and medium-sized companies drive economic prosperity in communities by bringing new ideas to the market, creating jobs and providing greater choice to consumers. Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $200 million over two years, starting in 2009–10, to the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program to enable it to temporarily expand its initiatives for small and medium-sized enterprises.
For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca
or call
1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
1-800-926-9105 (TTY)
