Management Response and Action Plan – Evaluation of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada funding to CIFAR

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Management Response and Action Plan – Evaluation of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada funding to CIFAR [PDF - 304 KB]

The findings and recommendations of the Evaluation of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada funding to CIFAR were provided to the Science Programs and Partnership Branch of the Science and Research Sector (SRS) at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Management has been consulted and agrees with the findings included in this report and will take action to address all applicable recommendations by March 31, 2023.

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Recommendation

Planned Action on the Recommendation

Responsible Official

Target Completion

ISED's SRS and CIFAR should explore opportunities to improve the rigour of performance measurement data for publications. This could include adding quality assurance reviews to address any abnormal values, and also exploring the use of external data to avoid double-counting joint publications.

ISED Position

ISED-SRS agrees with the recommendation. The department and CIFAR will work collaboratively to identify strategies to enhance the measurement and reporting of publication data.

ISED Management Response

ISED-SRS will work with CIFAR to identify how to improve the measurement and reporting of publication data, including:

  1. Developing a new Performance Measurement Strategy (PMS) for the program, including confirmation of performance indicators, targets, and data sources.
  2. As part of developing a new PMS, review data collection and reporting methods in advance of the next annual report.
  3. As part of developing a new PMS, identify methods to assess the quality of data reported in annual reports, including through the use of databases.

Director General, Science Programs and Partnerships

December 31, 2022

ISED's SRS should work with CIFAR to continue its efforts to integrate EDI within the organization and the delivery of its programs. Particular emphasis should be placed on providing more opportunities for underrepresented groups within the research programs and ensuring consistent collection of EDI data for researchers and HQP.

ISED Position

ISED-SRS agrees with the recommendation. CIFAR should continue efforts to advance equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and related objectives. CIFAR has taken steps in recent years to address action on EDI in its organization and activities, including implementation of a EDI Action Plan. Representation in advanced research is challenging given chronic and structural barriers in some fields, in particular physics and computer sciences. ISED-SRS recognises the work that CIFAR has undertaken and the limitations and challenges faced in seeking to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in its programs.

ISED Management Response

The renewal of contributions to CIFAR announced in Budget 2021 has provided an opportunity for ISED-SRS to integrate EDI considerations and actions into the program's objectives and in new funding agreements with CIFAR. Going forward, ISED-SRS will support CIFAR's efforts to increase representation and advance EDI objectives in its activities, including:

Director General, Science Programs and Partnerships

March 31, 2023
  1. Integrating targets into the new PMS on the participation of underrepresented groups in its programs, including greater representation in the Canada CIFAR Artificial Intelligence Chairs and Azrieli Global Scholars programs.

December 31, 2022
  1. Carrying out the terms of new contribution agreements, which require that CIFAR provide an EDI Strategy to the department by March 2023 and report on its implementation through operating plans and annual reports.

March 31, 2023
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