Question Period Note: 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (C) Overview

Why are the Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) portfolio organizations requesting $145.6 million in funding through Supplementary Estimates (C)?

• The Government of Canada takes fiscal responsibility and the stewardship of all public funds very seriously.

• The Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada portfolio organizations are requesting $145.6 million through the 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (C) for key priorities, including investing in science and research and clean technology, and addressing climate change.

• These investments will support innovation and commercialization in key industrial sectors of the Canadian economy that will improve Canada’s research capacity, create high value Canadian jobs and support Canada’s Greening Government Initiative.

Supplementary Estimates C were tabled in in Parliament on February 15, 2023. They represent the last opportunity to access funding for this fiscal year. The Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) portfolio is requesting $145.6 million in these Estimates, including:

• $123.7 million in new funding to deliver Budget 2022 initiatives and other federal decisions;
• $16.5 million of unused funding from previous years reprofiled for use in 2022-23;
• $4.8 million in statutory adjustments related to contributions to employee benefit plans; and,
• $0.7 million resulting from transfers between organizations.

The portfolio is requesting funding for the following organizations:

ISED – $23.5 million

• $6.6 million for the reform of Innovative Solutions Canada as a single program window that can support Research and Development through an interdepartmental secretariat (other federal decision 2022);
• $5.7 million to support the further growth and development of Canada's Global Innovation Clusters and expand their national presence (Budget 2022);
• $4.9 million to Praxis Spinal Cord Institute’s Research Programs and Operations to increase collaboration in spinal cord injury research, innovation and care (other federal decision 2023);
• $4.0 million for the Coordinated Accessible National Health Network to expand the program nationally (Budget 2022);
• $3.8 million for the implementation of key components of the Digital Charter, including the Consumer Privacy Protection Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Office responsible for policy functions (Budget 2021);
• net decrease of $4.0 million as a result of 4 transfers with other government departments, including $2.0 million to Statistics Canada for the Higher Education Intellectual Property Commercialization Survey and $1.3 million to Environment and Climate Change Canada for the Net Zero initiative; and,
• $2.5 million to adjust contributions to Employee Benefit Plans.

National Research Council Canada (NRC) – $61.1 million

• $42.8 million in support of a capital revitalization plan to modernize research and development facilities and building infrastructure. The plan will help to mitigate the deterioration of unique scientific facilities and achieve the target of a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (2022 Fall Economic Statement);
• $16.7 to support the implementation of the Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale. This will promote the growth of Canada’s clean technology sector and help to meet Canada’s international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Budget 2022); and,
• $1.5 million to adjust contributions to Employee Benefit Plans.

Statistics Canada (StatsCan) – $24.1 million

• $16.5 million reprofile of unspent funds from previous years to provide the financial flexibility to successfully conclude the final years of the 2021 Census of Population;
• $2.3 million for the Statistical Survey Operations Modernization (Budget 2022);
• $4.7 million as a result of 4 transfers from other government departments, including:
o $2.0 million from ISED for the Higher IP Commercialization Survey;
o $1.3 million from Health Canada to advance the oral heath component of the upcoming Canadian Health Measures Survey; and,
o $1.1 million from Shared Services Canada for the 2021 Census of Population.
• $0.6 million to adjust contributions to Employee Benefit Plans.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) – $21.7 million

• $21.7 million for the Canada First Research Excellence Fund to help post-secondary institutions excel globally in research areas that create long-term social and economic advantages for Canada;
• $0.1 million transfer from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada for research in the field of impact assessment; and,
• $0.1 million transfer to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council for the Tri-Agency Grants Management Initiative.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – $13.5 million

• $13.3 million for the Canada First Research Excellence Fund to help post-secondary institutions excel globally in research areas that create long-term social and economic advantages for Canada;
• $40K transfer from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for the Tri-Agency Grants Management Initiative; and,
• $0.2 million to adjust contributions to Employee Benefit Plans.

Standards Council of Canada (SCC) – $1.7 million

• $1.8 million to support the implementation of key components of Canada's Digital Charter. SCC will continue to advance industry-wide data governance standards, including implementation of the Data Governance Roadmap; and,
• $32K transfer to the Canada School of Public Service in support of access to common learning products and services.

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