Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.
About our organization
Sectors and branches
Strategic Policy Sector
The Strategic Policy Sector plays a key role in implementing the government's Innovation and Skills Plan and in supporting departmental realignment. It develops and supports the department's horizontal policy and strategy by ensuring robust marketplace frameworks and by deepening external relations.
Innovation Canada
From providing funding and expert advice to driving new collaborations, Innovation Canada's flagship programs and services are designed to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy. Through programs like the Global Innovation Clusters, the Strategic Response Fund, Innovative Solutions Canada, the Clean Growth Hub and the Accelerated Growth Service, Innovation Canada reduces the administrative burden for all companies.
Science and Research Sector
The Science and Research Sector (SRS) leads the development and implementation of the Government of Canada's science and technology (S&T) policy agenda in order to foster an innovative economy, improve the wealth and well-being of Canadians, and optimize federal investment in S&T.
The sector provides advice on external research, including relationships with the post-secondary education sector, advising on granting council policy, programs and operations, as well as advising on and managing contribution agreements with a variety of external organizations, such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Genome Canada, Mitacs and Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
The sector also provides advice on a wide range of science policy issues: including the broader intramural science enterprise and international science cooperation and relations: as well as specific policy issues, such as environmental policy and clean technology policy.
Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector
Spectrum is a vital national resource managed by the Government of Canada for citizens and businesses.
The Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector (STS) is responsible for researching and regulating spectrum, regulating telecommunications equipment, and working with other organizations on the safety and security of existing and future telecommunications infrastructure.
The sector's general policy objective is to maximize the economic and social benefits that Canadians derive from the use of the radio-frequency spectrum.
The sector works across Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, with other federal government departments, at the international level, and with our stakeholders to support a competitive wireless industry, strong investment, cyber-resilience and the Innovation and Skills Plan.
STS is structured to be a focused, nimble regulator backed by scientific research and expertise. We aim to be agile, responsive and efficient in support of a competitive, secure wireless marketplace and a thriving, innovative digital economy.
Small Business, Tourism and Marketplace Services
The Small Business, Tourism and Marketplace Services Sector (SBTMS) is responsible for small business, entrepreneurship, and tourism policy, programs and services. SBTMS undertakes financing and venture capital policy development and coordination, oversight of the Business Development Bank of Canada, and delivery of the Canada Small Business Financing Program.
SBTMS supports entrepreneurship ecosystems through tourism industry supports, the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, the Black Entrepreneurship Program, the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program, and Indigenous economic development policy.
SBTMS is active on consumer policy coordination, protecting and promoting the interests of consumers. SBTMS is responsible for tourism policy and oversight of Destination Canada, which is mandated to market Canada overseas as a tourism destination. Measurement Canada, Corporations Canada, and the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada are all part of SBTMS, which all play strong regulatory management roles in the areas of trade measurement, insolvency, and federal incorporation, supporting the integrity of the marketplace and providing a competitive environment that contributes to Canada's innovation performance.
Digital Transformation Service Sector
The Digital Transformation Service Sector (DTSS) charts our course for client-centric digital services, fosters the adoption of digital approaches and supports a modern IT infrastructure with efficient and technologically enabled service to business.
In July 2021, the department's Chief Data Office joined DTSS in a strategic move to strengthen the important connection between the ISED Data Strategy and our digital services.
Today's DTSS is on a transformative journey that aims to better serve our organization and our clients. We have established a "North Star" that sets a common goal for us to rally around. The North Star is all about ensuring we deliver maximum value to our colleagues, clients and partners. We are continuously improving our operating model for better alignment and collaboration.
Industry Sector
Industry Sector is the centre for the provision of advice on the government's industrial policy: based on economic and technological expertise that exists in the sector: through industry outreach. In this capacity, Industry Sector undertakes analysis to ensure an ongoing understanding of issues that impact firm competitiveness. The sector also supports the government's delivery of industry-focused programs, including the Strategic Response Fund.
The sector also supports the Economic Strategy Tables in health and biosciences, agri-food, clean resources, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and digital industries. This sustained engagement will strengthen the government's ability to support the private sector in Canada. Also, in light of the importance of skills to business growth, a dedicated labour analysis function is being established to support the work of the tables.
Industry Sector undertakes investment attraction work in collaboration with other departments and the Invest in Canada Hub. This includes supporting the federal government's industry promotion efforts, specifically its work to access new markets, grow firms, promote innovation and attract foreign investment to Canada. The sector is also responsible for the administration of the Investment Canada Act (ICA).
Industry Sector is also responsible for the management of the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, the intent of which is to maximize the benefits to Canada of major defence procurements.
Health Emergency Readiness Canada
Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC) is a new special operating agency within ISED that was announced in September 2024. Formerly ISED's Office of Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Readiness, HERC is responsible for providing policy analysis and leadership to build domestic capabilities for the development and production of medical countermeasures (MCMs) to address Canada's health security needs. To do this, HERC will rely on an integrated threat and risk assessment function to consider industrial readiness. It aims to be a funding agency once operationalized and will maintain an industrial emergency response game plan. While HERC reports to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, it will also support the Minister of Health, especially in times of crisis.
Corporate Management Sector
Corporate Management Sector (CMS) is responsible for the comptrollership of the Department's finances, the management of human resources, the stewardship of facilities and assets, and the provision of physical and personnel security services. CMS also oversees the Department's corporate planning and accountability reporting regimes and provides strategic advice on performance measurement, risk management, the affordability of program proposals, and the integrity of grants and contributions. In addition, CMS leads the Department's efforts on the Return to the Workplace and the Future of Work.
Strategic Communications and Marketing Sector
Strategic Communications and Marketing Sector (SCMS) has a mandate to deliver high-impact communications and marketing initiatives that effectively support Government of Canada priorities across the entire ISED portfolio, in order to reach Canadians and build public trust in government. SCMS reaches national, regional, local, and commercial audiences through a variety of channels, including web and social media, television, radio, and print.
The sector actively seeks to break through a competitive environment with proactive, targeted media, marketing, and online strategies. The team of 200+ professionals is responsible for media relations, ministerial communications and events, marketing and advertising, social media, issues management, and corporate communications with ISED employees.
Audit and Evaluation Branch
Audit and Evaluation Branch (AEB) provides independent, professional, and quality audit, evaluation, and practice management services founded on sound values and ethics to support informed decision-making and enhanced performance and accountability. It also fulfills the Department's obligations under the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's policies, directives, and standards on internal audit and evaluations, as well as conformance with the Institute of Internal Auditors international standards.
Legal Services
Legal Services (LS) is a departmental legal services unit that is a part of the Business and Regulatory Law Portfolio of the Department of Justice. LS strives to deliver timely and effective professional legal services to all sectors of ISED, as well as to other government departments and agencies of the ISED Portfolio, according to the service agreements and standards set by the Department of Justice.