Inter-Sectoral Partnerships for Non-Regulatory Federal Laboratories

In 2006-07, approximately 25,000 people were engaged in science and technology (S&T) activities in federal laboratories located in all regions of Canada. These laboratories play a crucial role in the Canadian science and innovation enterprise, and account for more than $4 billion in annual investment by the Government of Canada. The scientific activities they conduct support two essential functions: meeting the government's statutory regulatory responsibilities and providing the scientific underpinning for achievement of broader national scientific, social and economic objectives. Budget 2007 signalled the government's intention to create an independent panel of experts to consider the " transfer " of non-regulatory federal laboratories to universities and the private sector. Subsequently, Canada's science and technology strategy document, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage, released in May 2007, stated that the government " would focus its activities in areas where government is best able to deliver results, and consider alternative management arrangements for non-regulatory federal laboratories. " Pursuant to the Budget 2007 announcement, and consistent with the federal government's strategy for science and technology, the President of the Treasury Board appointed an Independent Panel of Experts (the Panel) in mid-August 2007 to undertake three main tasks: 1. explore opportunities for achieving greater synergy among the major sectors undertaking science and technology activities through transfer of non-regulatory federal laboratories to universities and/or the private sector 1 ; 2. identify up to five non-regulatory federal laboratories as " early candidates " for transfer; and, 3. develop a framework for evaluating opportunities for transfer of non-regulatory federal laboratories. These tasks were to be undertaken in the context of the federal government's objectives with respect to inter-sectoral S&T integration (ISTI), namely: increased value/efficiency of federal investments in S&T; enhanced quality of scientific activities through fostering research excellence; expanded opportunities for learning and knowledge transfer; and, improved Canadian economic competitiveness. 1. The Panel was advised that the term " universities " should be interpreted broadly as including colleges and not-for-profit institutions affiliated with universities and colleges. Accordingly, in the remainder of this report, this sector is referred to as " academia ". The term " private sector " is interpreted as referring to for-profit enterprises. 2 The Panel's work entailed analysis of: case studies involving inter-sectoral S&T collaboration in Canada and abroad; input received during consultations undertaken by Panellists with knowledgeable individuals from government, academia and the private-sector; a series of regional inter-sectoral roundtable discussions sponsored …