Question Period Note: 2022-23 DEPARTMENTAL PLAN (RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT)

How will Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) planned spending in its 2022-23 Departmental Plan promote rural economic development, as well as business and employment opportunities, in remote areas of Canada and contribute to making Canada a leader in the global economy?

• The Government of Canada’s priority is to continue fighting COVID-19, support the recovery in all regions and foster a dynamic and growing economy that creates jobs, opportunities and a better quality of life for all Canadians.

• The government will continue to provide the foundation for Canadians in all regions to participate and prosper in the digital economy.

• The government will improve access to high-speed Internet services in rural and remote areas to connect more Canadians to the resources, services and information they need to grow businesses and strengthen competitiveness.

• In 2022-23, ISED will:
o continue to advance the conditions for a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy for all Canadians in all regions;
o support the recovery, sustainability and growth of Canadian businesses of all sizes, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and those in rural and remote areas;
o support the transition to the digital economy for the benefit of all, and particularly for Canadians and businesses in rural and remote communities;
o improve rural access to the Internet for Canadians who live in small and remote communities, through the continued implementation of the Universal Broadband Fund and the Connect to Innovate program; and,
o bridge the digital divide for all Canadians, including those living in rural communities, through initiatives such as the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Connecting Families Initiative, and the Computers for Schools Plus program.

The 2022-23 Departmental Plan was tabled on March 2, 2022, to coordinate with the tabling of the Main Estimates.

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. 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.

 
The 2022-23 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

In ISED’s 2020-21 Departmental Results Report, some indicators did not have actual results reported for the last two years due, in large part, to data and publication delays by key data providers. ISED has updated its reporting framework, the DRF, including a number of the indicators, for the 2021-22 reporting cycle and the 2022-23 planning cycle. ISED is able to provide targets and report on its 2020-21 actual results for the indicators related to under-represented entrepreneurs. The updated DRF, which came into effect in April 2021, articulates the highest-level outcomes ISED is trying to achieve for Canadians. It also forms the basis for ISED’s priority setting, performance management and parliamentary reporting exercises.