Question Period Note: 2021– 22 DEPARTMENTAL PLAN KMs – MINISTER NG

How will ISED’s planned spending in its 2021–22 Departmental Plan promote export opportunities, and help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grow, export and take advantage of trade opportunities?

• While the Government of Canada’s priority continues to be fighting COVID-19, the government remains committed to fostering the conditions for investment, enhancing Canadian innovation and driving growth in key sectors.

• The government will continue to improve conditions for business investment to help Canadian businesses succeed and grow.

• This includes increasing Canada’s share of global trade, and building a fair and efficient marketplace that promotes consumer choice, competition and economic sustainability.

SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES

• To ensure that Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have the support they need and are maximizing the advantages provided by our vibrant and diverse communities, ISED will continue to invest in the following key initiatives:
• the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy;
• the Mobilizing SMEs to Export Initiative;
• the Black Entrepreneurship Program;
• Innovative Solutions Canada; and
• Cyber Secure Canada.

• In 2021–22, the Department will:
• work to support Canadian business by increasing access to the capital required to recover from COVID-19, and adapt, grow and compete in the global economy;
• support the sustainability and growth of Canadian businesses—large, medium and small;
• future-proofing the Canadian economy by continuing to help small businesses adapt to the new digital and global marketplace; and
• support the transition to the digital economy.

The 2021–22 Departmental Plan is expected to be tabled in mid-February 2021.

The Departmental Plan outlines ISED’s annual spending plan and describes priorities, planned results and associated resource requirements for a three-year period. It also provides details on human resource requirements. The 2021–22 Departmental Plan is structured according to ISED’s Departmental Results Framework (DRF) and its three core responsibilities:
• Companies, Investment and Growth
• Peoples, Skills and Communities
• Science, Technology, Research and Commercialization

Following extensive consultations at all levels and across all sectors, ISED significantly revised its DRF for 2021–22 to better align its reporting framework with the department’s mandate. The updated DRF, which comes into effect in April, articulates the highest level outcomes ISED is trying to achieve for Canadians and forms the basis for the department’s priority setting, performance management and parliamentary reporting exercises.

In combination with the Main Estimates, Departmental Plans serve to inform members of Parliament about planned expenditures of departments and agencies, and support Parliament’s consideration of supply bills.

Ministers of departments are accountable for their Departmental Plans and must respond to questions on content and format.

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