ISED's Supplementary Information Tables: 2023–24

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with adMare, and reviews its corporate plans and annual reports to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the funding agreements.

adMare has also been successful in the inaugural Strategic Science Fund (SSF) competition. ISED officials have begun the process to onboard adMare to this new program.

In 2023‑24, BHER supported 13,903 work integrated learning (WIL) experiences, bringing the total over the course of the current funding agreement (since 2022‑23) to 17,650.

In 2023‑24, BHER engaged 3,301 employers in delivering WIL and since 2022‑23, a total of 4,880 employers.

In 2023‑24, BHER strengthened their role as a national convener in Canada's WIL ecosystem through the development of new tools and resources which include a set of case studies focusing on Innovations in WIL, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in WIL. It also successfully hosted its first of 5 regional virtual events that was focused on advancing WIL in Ontario for small and medium-sized businesses.

An evaluation of Business/ Higher Education Roundtable was conducted in 2023‑24 and was completed in early 2024-25.

The evaluation found that:

• BHER has helped students build in-demand skills for employers.
• The variety of flexible opportunities offered by BHER's delivery partners decreased barriers for equity-deserving students.
• BHER increased employer collaboration with PSE institutions, which has contributed to the number of employers providing WIL experiences to students as well as organizational innovation.
• BHER successfully built capacity within post-secondary institutions to scale-up and create more WIL opportunities.

ISED regularly engages with BHER and receives updates on progress towards deliverables and key performance targets, as well as the status of their activities (building tools, creating WIL placements, engaging partners, etc.).

In 2023‑24, BHER provided data, information and key informant contacts in support of the Program's Evaluation. BHER staff were also interviewed by the Audit and Evaluation Branch as part of the process. ISED program staff and BHER also worked together to reduce data reporting requirements that were causing undue burden on ultimate funding recipients.

For its part, BHER regularly engages with a range of stakeholders from across the Canadian WIL ecosystem, including industry associations, employers/businesses, provincial government officials, and post-secondary institutions. Such engagement takes place in various forms, including individual meetings. BHER shares this information with ISED, which the department uses to improve the design and development of the program.

The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) Grow Your Business Online (GYBO) stream is designed to support up to 90,000 consumer-facing businesses across Canada digitize and take advantage of e-commerce opportunities.

It aims to help increase digital adoption for eligible small businesses by providing microgrants of up to $2,400 per business to help with the costs associated with the adoption of digital technologies related to e-commerce. It will also support up to 11,200 Canadian youth placements by hiring and training youth as e-commerce advisors, so that they can help these businesses assess their digital needs and develop their e-commerce strategy.

CDAP GYBO is delivered by third party non-profit organizations who receive non-repayable contributions.

CDAP GYBO collects sufficient data to enable monitoring, measurement and reporting on program impacts, and to enable this process for recipients.

CDAP GYBO Departmental Plan activities for 2023‑24 encouraged diverse small businesses to apply by including specific targets for equity-deserving groups in the contribution agreements with the GYBO intermediaries. Intermediaries were required to seek to recruit and hire a diverse group of students and recent graduates, including those from equity-deserving groups.

CDAP GYBO did not engage directly with applicants and recipients in FY 2023‑24. Under the CDAP GYBO stream, ISED provides funding to intermediaries who deliver funding and support services directly to recipients. Continued engagement of applicants beyond regular monitoring and reporting is within the purview of intermediaries who are in direct contact and have established lines of communication with recipients.

Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) – Boost Your Business Technology (BYBT) stream supports Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises who are looking to leverage new technology to improve productivity, increase efficiency and foster innovation. The program provides funding and expertise to businesses, as well as training and work placement opportunities for youth.

Boost Your Business Technology offers support in the form of grants to help Small and Medium-sized Enterprises offset the cost of retaining a Digital Advisor who will develop a digital adoption plan tailored to the business. The grant will cover up to 90% of the cost to develop the digital plan, up to a maximum grant value of $15,000.

To support the implementation of the plan, the SME will be able to apply for a zero-interest loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) (up to $100,000) as well as a wage subsidy up to $7,300 for a youth placement.

The Departmental Plan identifies that ISED will continue to roll-out CDAP which aims to help SMEs adopt digital technologies to increase their competitiveness.

• CDAP BYBT contributes to the departmental result of Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing by offering digital needs assessments to Canadian SMEs and providing grants to offset the cost of retaining the services of an advisory firm to develop a tailored digital adoption plan. Eligible grant recipients also have access to financial support in the form of a zero-interest loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada and a wage subsidy from Magnet to support the implementation of their digital adoption plan.
• As of March 31, 2024, key performance results for the Boost Your Business Technology Stream include:
• Over 57,000 Digital Needs Assessments completed by SMEs
• 20,153 grants disbursed to SMEs valued at over $293 million
• Over 6,600 BDC loans authorized worth $380.2 million
• Over 1,300 funded work placements confirmed with an estimate of $9.7 million in wage subsidies to be disbursed upon placement completion
• Overall client satisfaction score of 97%

BYBT grant recipients are invited to complete an impact survey one year after receiving their grant. Each month, survey invitations are sent to the previous year's grant recipients. For example, in January 2024 survey invitations were sent to all SMEs who received a BYBT grant in December 2022. SMEs are asked to provide consent to participate and are free to skip any questions they do not wish to answer or do not feel comfortable answering.

The data collected from BYBT's One-Year Survey is used for evaluation purposes and to inform any program changes to enhance the value and impact of the program on participating businesses.

An evaluation is planned in 2024‑25.

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a single recipient non-repayable contribution program. The only eligible recipient is SDTC. It has the objective of operating the Sustainable Development (SD) Tech Fund to fund development and demonstration projects that address climate change, air quality, clean air and clean soil. SDTC typically funds approximately 33% of eligible project costs and can fund up to 50% of the total project costs. Funding is typically in the range of $50,000 to $20 million, with an increasing number of smaller investments of $50,000 under SDTC's Seed Fund. Eligible ultimate recipients are generally for-profit corporations that have expertise in sustainable development technology. The 2020 Fall Economic Statement, through Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan, provided funding of $750 million over five years (2021‑22 to 2025‑26). Prior to this investment, Budget 2017 provided funding of $400 million, which was allocated over three years (2018–19 to 2021‑22).

On June 4, 2024, the Government announced the transfer of SDTC programming to the National Research Council Canada (NRC). The transfer responds to the findings of various reviews conducted ―including the Auditor General's June 2024 report ― which revealed weaknesses in SDTC's governance, prompting a new delivery approach to government support for the cleantech sector.

SDTC continues to identify and support transformative Canadian companies developing and deploying globally competitive clean technology solutions that address environmental challenges related to climate change, clean air, clean water, and clean soil. In 2023‑24, SDTC announced investments of $28 million for new companies and disbursed $88 million to support its active portfolio of 229 cleantech projects, which represents every province in Canada and touches every economic sector. SDTC also continues to work with its regional and federal partners to strengthen and support the Canadian cleantech ecosystem.

SDTC also manages the Next Generation Biofuels Fund, which supported the demonstration of next generation renewable fuel production facilities. While the program sunset in 2017, SDTC continues to monitor recipients' progress and alignment with contribution requirements.

In October 2023, SDTC was asked to suspend funding for new projects pending the implementation of a Management Response and Action Plan.

ISED is responsible for managing the contribution agreement with SDTC, which is accomplished using a range of oversight mechanisms and through ongoing engagement between officials. SDTC manages all engagement and contractual relations with funding applicants and recipients. SDTC's relationship with companies extends beyond the duration of projects, which are generally three to five years in length. SDTC maintains engagement through post-project reporting and supports, and, in many cases, sees the company return with further projects as they continue to grow. In 2023‑24 10% of new approvals were awarded to companies who have graduated from SDTC's seed funding stream.

In the past year, SDTC has continued to work with external partners to enhance its support for entrepreneurs, including the Council of Canadian Innovators on the Innovation Governance Program (iGP), which helps equip companies with the skills and resources they require as they scale-up globally, and the Innovative Asset Collective (IAC), which to helps companies strengthen their IP strategies.

SDTC also hosted its 6th annual three-day Leadership Summit in 2023‑24, which brought together 300 representatives from clean tech firms, government, and organizations from across the country.

In October 2023, SDTC was asked to suspend funding for new projects pending the implementation of a Management Response and Action Plan. The organization also stopped accepting new applications for funding.

1986

March 31, 2026 (CIFAR-Core Budget 2021)

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

This program provides non-repayable contributions to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, known as CIFAR. The purpose of the CIFAR-Core component of the funding under this program is to advance interdisciplinary knowledge creation, support long-term growth of next-generation research leaders, and drive societal impact through knowledge mobilization. The recipient is a not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act that supports the advancement of science through international and interdisciplinary collaboration and high-impact research to address emerging fields of discovery and advance thinking on future-focused questions across the sciences and humanities.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with CIFAR, and reviews corporate plans, quarterly and annual financial reports to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreements.

CIFAR has also been successful in the inaugural Strategic Science Fund (SSF) competition. ISED officials have begun the process to onboard CIFAR to this new program.

2017

March 31, 2026 (CIFAR PCAIS Budget 2017) and March 31, 2031 (CIFAR CPAIS Budget 2021)

Contribution

Statutory for CIFAR-PCAIS Budget 2017; appropriated annually through Estimates for CIFAR-PCAIS Budget 2021

2021‑22

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

This program provides non-repayable contributions to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, known as CIFAR. The purpose of the CIFAR-PCAIS component of the funding under this program, which is provided through the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (PCAIS), is to support activities to retain and attract top academic talent in artificial intelligence (AI), increase the number of post-graduate trainees and researchers studying in AI, promote collaboration among Canada's main centres of expertise in AI in Montreal, Toronto-Waterloo, and Edmonton, advance understanding of the ethical, legal, political, and societal implications of AI, as well as position Canada as a world-leading destination for companies seeking to invest in AI and innovation. The recipient is a not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act that supports the advancement of science through international and interdisciplinary collaboration and high-impact research to address emerging fields of discovery and advance thinking on future-focused questions across the sciences and humanities.

An evaluation of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2.0 is planned in 2025‑26.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with CIFAR, and reviews corporate plans, quarterly and annual financial reports to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreements.

1993

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014–15

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

CANARIE is one of the two recipients of funding under the Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy, via a non-repayable contribution program. It provides the ultra high-speed network to enable researchers to exchange large volumes of data obtained through the use of high-performance computing resources.

In 2023‑24, ISED provided funding to CANARIE for initiatives such as the expansion and maintenance of the National Research and Education Network (NREN), an essential collective of research infrastructure, tools and people to bolster Canadian research leadership.

During this time, CANARIE continued the Cybersecurity Initiatives Program to support an enhanced cybersecurity posture in the research and education sector. CANARIE also supported the development and implementation of next-generation technology, innovation, and commercialization of products and services through the Digital Accelerator for Innovation and Research (DAIR) program.

To date, over 1,900 Canadian startups have used the DAIR cloud to build and test new products and services, allowing them to speed up development time and get to market faster.

An evaluation of the Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy, which included contributions to the CANARIE and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC), was conducted in 2023‑24. The results of the evaluation will be released in late fall 2024.

ISED maintains an ongoing dialogue with CANARIE, and reviews the Annual Business Plan and Annual Report to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement. The Recipient is also engaged through communications with their project officers and the Department on a regular basis.

June 1, 2017

March 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018–19

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Talent Development

CanCode 3.0 is a non-repayable contribution program. It has the objective of delivering new or expanded digital skills and coding initiatives for youth to prepare them for participation in the digital economy, and for teachers to increase their comfort level in introducing coding concepts into the classroom. Students will learn digital skills, including coding, web development and data analytics.

By the end of 2023‑24 CanCode has provided over 5.8 million training opportunities to students and over 250,000 to teachers, exceeding initial program targets

An evaluation of CanCode was completed in 2023‑24 and the findings are as follows:

• CanCode meets the demonstrated need for digital skills knowledge and training to improve the digital skills of teachers and youth across Canada including in rural, remote and indigenous communities and to prepare them for emerging innovative/technological industries.
• CanCode has been successful in providing digital training and digital learning activities to a diverse range of youth and teachers across Canada including underrepresented groups and despite COVID-19 restrictions. The program has increased interest in STEM and digital skills knowledge.
• CanCode delivered digital skills learning and training activities using innovative, multimodal, and inclusive approaches which is contributing to building a creative and thriving digital ecosystem.

A community of practice initiative was launched to share best practices among recipients.

Recipients are engaged through regular outreach on project development and quarterly monitoring and reporting of projects. Based on ongoing feedback received from recipients during these engagement processes, program procedures are adapted, resulting in improved program delivery and more streamlined claim and risk analysis processes.

December 15, 2016

March 31, 2023

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2016–17

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Bridging Digital Divides

Connect to Innovate (CTI) is a $500 million program announced in Budget 2016 that aims to bring high-speed Internet to rural and remote communities across Canada by extending and enhancing high-capacity backbone infrastructure as well as to funding some last-mile infrastructure for underserved households, institutions and businesses. Budget 2019 announced an $85 million top-up to the program, as part of new investments to deliver high-speed Internet to every Canadian home and business.

All funding has been awarded to approved CTI projects and they continue to roll-out across the country. As of March 31, 2024, 281,673 households in 1,069 communities have improved Internet speeds, including 131 Indigenous communities. As well, 899 anchor institutions like hospitals and schools now have improved Internet speeds. By the end of the program, CTI will bring new or improved high-speed Internet access to more than 975 rural and remote communities – more than triple the 300 communities initially targeted – which includes 190 Indigenous communities.

Engagement activities include: regular outreach with applicants on project development; coordination with provincial/territorial and First Nations groups, partners and other government departments and agencies to leverage funding available for broadband; a website with an interactive mapping tool; sustained social media presence; and ongoing interaction and monitoring of project recipients. In November 2020, a new CTI tracker was published online in order to increase accountability to Canadians and to allow them to track the progress of the projects in their area. The tracker reports on which stage a project is in and when service can be expected.

December 22, 2022

March 31, 2026

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

No Terms and Conditions

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Business Innovation

The CAN Health Network (CHN) brings together health-care organizations from across Canada to conduct joint technology demonstration/validation projects and to create an environment where these organizations can leverage their purchasing power to issue joint procurement opportunities for successful participating Canadian businesses.

The CHN was established as a pilot project led by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and funded via their Regional Economic Growth program. Since 2019, the CHN has received a total of $12,450,000 in support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) and Prairies Economic Development Canada.

Budget 2022 announced $30 million over four years, starting in fiscal year 2022‑23, to build upon the success of the CHN, and expand it nationally to Quebec, the territories, and Indigenous communities. This expansion will support the growth, commercialization and adoption of Canadian health-care solutions, helping ensure that Canada is prepared for future threats to our health-care system.

Membership: The CAN Health Network has expanded their membership to 31 of 35 members, with many potential candidates still under review. The CAN Health Network successfully launched its first Long-Term Care Innovation and Scaling Network. This new network, led by Ottawa-based Bruyère, is designed to enhance the quality of life for long-term care (LTC) residents and operators, by introducing innovative, Canadian-made technology solutions to address LTC's most pressing challenges.

Projects: The CAN Health Network has launched 42 projects and has another 38 projects currently in review. Of the projects launched, 7 projects have completed, resulting in 5 technologies commercialized.

Examples of these projects include:

• Caribou Health Technologies' digital rewards program, improving staff engagement and recognition at SE Health in Ontario.
• Horizon Health Network integrating the SeamlessMD platform into New Brunswick Heart Centre, providing cardiac patients with personalized support tools. Following its success, New Brunswick's Vitalité Health Network in now extending its use for other surgeries.

The CAN Health Network Initiative is a single recipient contribution, however it is delivered through a collaboration agreement between the recipient and executor. ISED conducts regular engagement meetings with both the recipient and executor to track progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement. Fiscal year outcomes are presented in CAN Health's Annual Report which is reviewed by ISED each year.

April 1, 2005

March 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

The Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides science-based, expert assessments for federal departments and agencies to inform public policy development in Canada. Additionally, the CCA also conducts assessments for the private sector and other levels of government on a cost-recovery basis. ISED has funded the CCA since 2005, through federal budgets, in the amount of $3 million per year.

In 2023‑24, the CCA released three expert panel reports and continued progress on the work of eight expert panels. This led to 20 panel meetings that engaged a vast range of experts.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with the CCA, and reviews its Corporate Plan and Annual Report to track its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement.

CCA has also been successful in the inaugural SSF competition. ISED officials have begun the process to onboard CCA to this new program.

September 28, 2017

March 31, 2025

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2017–18, amended 2022‑23

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Bridging Digital Divides

The Digital Literacy Exchange Program is a contribution program that seeks to support not-for-profit organizations in the development and delivery of fundamental digital literacy skills training to Canadians who would benefit from increased participation in the digital economy.

As of March 31,2024, DLEP has provided digital literacy training to 109,523 underrepresented Canadians

Recipients are engaged through regular outreach on project development and quarterly monitoring and reporting of projects. Based on ongoing feedback received from recipients during these engagement processes, program procedures are adapted, resulting in improved program delivery and more streamlined claim and risk analysis processes.

March 21, 2019

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018–19

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

The Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC) is one of the two recipients of funding under the Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy, via a non-repayable contribution program.

DRAC provides funding for Advanced Research Computing (ARC), Research Software (RS), and Data Management (DM) programs, to support the work of Canadian researchers and scientists.

• Increase technological capacity in the DRI ecosystem across Advanced Research Computing (ARC), Research Software (RS), and Data Management (DM);
• Improve the skills and training provided to Canada's researchers;
• Safeguard DRI resources.

• Launched Lunaris in May 2023. Lunaris is a national discovery service for multidisciplinary data as a core strategic support for research data management. Oversaw the announcement of the National Cloud Strategy in March 2024 with an open call for platform developers who will build software portals in support of the Strategy. This strategy will ensure that Canada's academic communities have access to the necessary digital resources by leveraging traditional high-performance computing (HPC), community cloud, and commercial cloud resources that are customized to the specific needs of different groups of professionals.
• Led the announcement of the National Research Software Strategy (2025-2030) in March 2024, which was designed to unify and solidify the research software support in Canada by building an innovative, equitable and sustainable research software ecosystem. This strategy will help enhance Canada's research software capability, community and coordination.

An evaluation of the Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy, which included contributions to the CANARIE and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC), was conducted in 2023‑24. The results of the evaluation will be released in late fall 2024.

ISED maintains ongoing dialogue with DRAC, and reviews its annual corporate plans and reports to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement. DRAC is also engaged through communications with their project officers on a regular basis.

December 11, 2017

March 31, 2025

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2022‑23 – Adopted the YESS Horizontal Terms and Conditions

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Talent Development

Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) is part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), intended to support recent and underemployed post-secondary graduates with valuable and practical work experience and additional training that will help them improve their employability and use their talent to their full potential so they can succeed in the digital economy.

The program exceeded its target in 2023‑24 with 318 youth out of a target of 189 participating in the program. The DS4Y program also falls under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) horizontal initiative.

An evaluation is planned in 2024‑25 (led by Employment and Social Development Canada under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy).

Recipients are engaged through regular outreach on project development and quarterly monitoring and reporting of projects. Based on ongoing feedback received from recipients during these engagement processes, program procedures are adapted, resulting in improved program delivery and more streamlined claim and risk analysis processes.

April 2021

March 31, 2025

Contribution

Annually through estimates

2021‑22

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy.

Support for Underrepresented Entrepreneur

The 50 – 30 Challenge Ecosystem Fund provides funding to successful organizations, known as Ecosystem partners, to help 50 – 30 Challenge participants meet the diversity and inclusion goals.

The Ecosystem Partners (EP) support participants by linking them to best practices and tools, providing guidance and advising on other diversity supports specific to each organization's unique needs. The EP also promote the What Works Toolkit, and report on the progress of 50 – 30 participants to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

EP are awarded a three-year, non-repayable Contribution Agreement with a minimum value of $3 million and a maximum value of $10 million.

As of May 31, 2024, 2,574 participating organizations of all sizes and sectors have signed up for the 50 – 30 Challenge.

In 2023, ISED launched the Publicly Available Specification on Self-Assessment, a document available to all 50-30 Challenge participants, that provides guidance and the necessary tools for participating organizations to demonstrate their compliance and/or progress towards achieving the goals of the program.

EP continue to provide offerings to Challenge Participants through training sessions, workshops, webinars, along with various tools and resources to supplement the What Works Toolkit.

Promotion of these resources have been communicated through various social media streams, email, websites and newsletters.

In 2023‑24, ISED held two virtual meetings with the five EP whereby each EP had the opportunity to share an update on their activities and ask questions.

ISED regularly engages recipient organizations on funding delivery, reporting requirements and the evaluation of program activities as per the results framework.

March 30, 2022

March 31, 2026

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Business Innovation

ElevateIP is a non-repayable contribution program. It's purpose is to help Business Accelerators and Incubators (BAIs) and BAI networks provide start-ups with access to professional intellectual property (IP) supports. ElevateIP will help BAIs provide the tools Canadian start-ups need to protect, strategically manage and leverage their IP.

ElevateIP aims to meet the following program objectives:

• facilitate IP supports by BAIs to start-ups at key junctures in the entrepreneurial process to enable the rapid scaling, growth and sustainability of start-ups in Canada
• help increase the IP capacity of the BAI ecosystem in Canada by enabling IP education for BAIs and their start-up members, facilitating the exchange of best practices, encouraging collaboration, and providing greater access to IP advice and support as an integrated component of general business supports offered by BAIs enable BAIs to provide targeted supports, supports that are customized to the unique requirements of each start-up, to help start-ups secure and maintain IP rights, while enabling longer-term IP benefits to be delivered through the BAI ecosystem

In 2023‑24, the ElevateIP program saw all five of its recipients launch their full program offerings. As a result, there was an increasing number of startups supported across the country, quarter over quarter. In its first full year of operations, the program provided IP supports to over 2,500 startups from all provinces and most territories, across all three program activities. Surpassing its target, over 40% of startups served were owned by underrepresented groups, and represent a wide range of sectors. The program also saw over 300 BAIs receiving support and mentoring services, further increasing overall IP capacity across Canada's BAI ecosystem.

The program signed all contribution agreements in March 2023, and has had ongoing communications with its recipients, including through an in-person all-recipients meeting hosted annually by ISED.

Ongoing improvement: The program actively pursues feedback from recipients and seeks to address issues to streamline the process and improve efficiency, while maintaining robust program oversight.

Reporting: Recipients submit quarterly reports providing data on startups having received support, including information on underrepresented groups accessing program services. Annual reports are provided after year-end and serve to provide additional context to the quarterly reports and include success stories, startup surveys, and more.

April 1, 2017

March 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2020‑21

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Support for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs

Futurpreneur Canada supports young Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18–39 who see entrepreneurship as a viable career option and want to start their own businesses but who would not typically be supported by traditional lending institutions. Futurpreneur provides loans of up to $20,000 and up to two years of mandatory mentoring. Futurpreneur also provides business-planning support.

Futurpreneur Canada's (FC) Start-up Program provided up to $60,000 in loans for three to five-year terms – $20,000 from FC, with the option to request an additional $40,000 from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). Loan recipients must agree to work with an experienced business mentor for a minimum of two years. FC also provides business-planning support.

In 2023‑24, FC supported 5,852 diverse young entrepreneurs, including 1,047 receiving mentorship services alongside 797 start-up loans issued to start and grow their businesses. This included 320 women entrepreneurs, 6 non-binary entrepreneurs, 40 Indigenous entrepreneurs, and 139 newcomer entrepreneurs. Of the businesses FC supported, 40% were led by women 1% had non-binary founders, 5% had Indigenous founders and 17% had newcomers founders. They also supported 2,558 Indigenous-led entrepreneurs in engaging with outreach activities.

FC achieved its 2023‑24 target of providing mentorship to 1,000 youth through its Start-up Program. As well, FC achieved its 2023‑24 target to engage 1,450 Indigenous youth in outreach activities and provide 35 Indigenous youth with loans and mentorship services.^{Footnote 1}

An evaluation was completed in 2023‑24.

The evaluation found that FC fills a gap within the context of the Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem that traditional banks and other lending organizations have not been able to address, and the program is in alignment with Government of Canada priorities. It also found that FC has effectively provided loans, mentorship, and education to young entrepreneurs across Canada which has contributed to growth and success in businesses launched.

The evaluation recommended that ISED should work with FC to continue to explore ways to enhance and support its mentorship program to improve mentor-mentee matching and particularly address the unique needs of BIPOC young entrepreneurs.

ISED engaged regularly with FC on the management of this contribution agreement. ISED also referred youth entrepreneurs seeking support to FC given its national reach across the country.

To advertise FC's loan and mentoring programs, FC has a website, blog, electronic newsletter, LinkedIn group (Entrepeer Hub) and toll-free telephone number. FC is also active on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.

Also, FC holds networking events for young entrepreneurs (e.g., Action Entrepreneurship Canadian Summit and mentoring meetups) and it is the coordinator for Global Entrepreneurship Week events across Canada.

FC partners with a range of organizations and institutions, including banks, accelerators, universities, entrepreneurship organizations and small business organizations.

As well, ISED conducted an evaluation of FC in 2023, which contributed to the ongoing design and delivery of the program.

March 27, 2000

March 31, 2027

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

Genome Canada is a non-repayable single recipient contribution program, under which Genome Canada is the only recipient. Genome Canada is a not-for-profit organization created in 2000 that supports six independently incorporated regional Genome Centres, located in British Columbia, Alberta, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. With the Genome Centres and other partners, including a number of provincial governments and the private sector, Genome Canada invests in and manages large-scale genomics research projects, technology platforms, and the translation of new discoveries into application at Canadian post-secondary institutions, research hospitals and not-for-profit research institutions. Budget 2019 provided $100.5 million over five years starting in 2020‑21, and Budget 2021 provided $136.7 million over five years beginning in 2022‑23. As a result of reprofile, spending of Budget 2021 funds will conclude one year later, in 2027‑28.

In 2023‑24, Genome Canada achieved the following:

• invested $39.8 million to fund 167 genomics projects focused on agri-food, climate, the environment and health;
• contributed to the creation of 11 startup companies;
• supported 1731 research teams members and 706 trainees; and;
• contributed to the development of 17 new patents, licenses and inventions.

An evaluation of the Strategic Science Fund, which includes contributions to Genome Canada, is planned in 2027‑28.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with Genome Canada and reviews the Corporate Plan and Annual Report to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the funding agreements.

Genome Canada has also been successful in the inaugural SSF competition. ISED officials have begun the process to onboard Genome Canada to this new program.

May 24, 2017

March 31, 2028

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2017-18

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Business Innovation

The Global Innovation Clusters (GIC) initiative (renamed in Budget 2022) is a non-repayable contribution program. Its objective is to support the acceleration of world-leading innovation clusters in Canada that translate the country's strengths into new commercial opportunities for Canadian firms. Eligible recipients are industry-led incorporated not-for-profit organisations. Funding for this program was provided by Budget 2016 and 2017 and consists of a total of $950 million over five years. An additional $60 million was provided to the Clusters in Budget 2021. The program was renewed in Budget 2022 with an investment of $750 million over the next six years.

As of March 31, 2024, the Global Innovation Clusters have announced 541 collaborative projects, involving more than 2,750 project partnerships.

The program continued to attract significant investment from industry and other partners via Cluster projects. For every $1 committed by the program, project partners collectively matched it with at least $1.60, exceeding the 1:1 requirement. The total co-investment of over $2.53 billion includes more than $1.57 billion from industry and other partners.

The Clusters are also driving economic growth through job creation, contributing 21,469 direct, indirect, and induced employment opportunities for the period of 2018–19 to 2021‑22, which exceeds the program's five-year target of 15,000 jobs created by 2023.

An evaluation is planned in 2026‑27.

The department maintains an ongoing dialogue with each of the five Clusters (i.e. recipients) and has in place processes to monitor progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of contribution agreements.

The program team also regularly issues program guidance as needed, such as clarifying eligibility criteria, treatment of costs to support recipient financial claims, data and performance standards, intellectual property reporting, communications requirements, and reporting guides. The program also maintains a comprehensive series of engagements with the Clusters.

The Clusters have generated support from industry by engaging more than 9,300 organizational members. They engage their members through multiple ecosystem-building events, such as: annual general meetings, project calls for proposals, collaboration sessions to bring together companies in key areas as potential project partners, training, etc.

2023‑2024

March 31, 2025

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2023‑24

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing, and people and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the Canadian economy

Tourism, and Support for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs

Indigenous tourism funding will provide $20 million over two years to help the Indigenous tourism industry recover from the pandemic and position itself for long-term, sustainable growth via two streams:

• $10 million to support Indigenous micro and small operators; and
• $10 million to support scaling-up of major regional signature Indigenous tourism experiences.

The Micro and Small Business Stream (MSBS): Launched in November 2023, and delivered through a $9.9 million contribution agreement with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) the MSBS will invest approximately $8 million to build the capacity of Indigenous tourism micro and small businesses and organizations. Under the program, ITAC provides non-repayable contributions up to $25,000 per business/organization to address barriers to their becoming business, visitors and/or export ready. Under the contribution agreement, ITAC also provides non-repayable contributions to provincial and territorial Indigenous tourism organizations to build their capacity to support delivery of the MSBS in their jurisdictions.

As of August 12, 2024, ITAC has announced three rounds of MSBS funding to 186 Indigenous businesses totalling $4.6 million in support.

The Signature Indigenous Tourism Experiences Stream (SITES): Launched in May 2024, and delivered through a $10 million contribution agreement with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), SITES will invest $9.5 million to support the scaling-up of significant, export-ready, market sustainable, and community-supported Indigenous core projects and/or experiences that target high-value visitor overnight stays. SITES will invest in approximately 8 to 12 larger-scale projects across Canada, providing contributions of $500,000 to $1.25 million per project.

As this stream was launched in May, no projects had been funded as of June 2024. However, NACCA is expected to disburse the full $9.5 million before March 31, 2025.

For MSBS, a contribution agreement was signed with ITAC in the fall of 2023. Officials monitored project progress and communicated with the recipient regularly to help ensure the success of the project.

For SITES, officials worked with Indigenous partners to design the initiative, and a contribution agreement was signed with NACCA in April 2024.

April 1, 2014

March 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is a cross-disciplinary institute, based at the University of Waterloo, that specializes in quantum information science (QIS) and quantum technologies. Its mandate is to engage in quantum research, training, educational outreach, and device fabrication, with the aim of positioning Canada as a global leader in quantum.

In 2023‑24, the IQC published 178 articles in prominent journals and welcomed 108 academic visitors from 74 unique organizations. It also hosted 7 workshops, 63 seminars, 11 colloquia, and sponsored 15 external scientific programs. In addition, IQC enrolled 50 new graduate students, bringing the total to 205 (81 master's and 124 PhDs) and welcomed 1 new full-time faculty member.

In 2023‑24, IQC trained 20 new postdoctoral researchers, bringing the total to 53 postdoctoral fellows. It also showcased quantum ideas to more than 40,000 people worldwide and engaged over 10,000 Canadians through exhibitions, science fairs, lab tours and public lectures.

An evaluation of the Strategic Science Fund, which includes contributions to the Institute for Quantum Computing, is planned in 2027–28.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with the IQC, and reviews the Corporate Plan and Annual Report to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the funding agreement.

April 1, 2015

March 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2020‑21

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Talent Development

Let's Talk Science (LTS) is a national, not-for-profit and charitable organization that offers programs, services and resources to help promote youth engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

In 2022-2023, LTS achieved almost 3 million youth interactions and more than 400,000 educator interactions. Educators in more than 6,000 schools (about 38.5%) across Canada accessed at least one Let's Talk Science program and LTS directly impacted almost 1,700 unique communities including in rural and remote locations. More than 550,000 interactions were with girls and nearly 77,500 were with Indigenous youth.

An evaluation of the Strategic Science Fund, which includes contributions to Let's Talk Science, is planned in 2027–28.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with LTS, and reviews the Corporate Plan and Annual Report to track its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement.

LTS has also been successful in the inaugural SSF competition. ISED officials have begun the process to onboard LTS to this new program.

April 1, 2012

March 31, 2026

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Talent Development

Mitacs Inc. (Mitacs) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting high-quality research and innovation by building linkages between academia and industry, and strengthening linkages between researchers and students in Canada and abroad across all academic disciplines. This is done by providing postsecondary students and postdoctoral fellows with work-integrated learning opportunities to develop their professional skills and apply their expertise to business-related research challenges. Mitacs also provides entrepreneurs opportunities to connect with potential international clients and investors through internships in post-secondary-linked incubators operating in partner countries.

Through its various program streams, Mitacs supported a total of 19,693 work-integrated learning placements in 2023‑24 in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. This included domestic and international placements for post-secondary students (i.e., undergraduate and graduate) and post-doctoral fellows from post-secondary institutions across Canada.

An evaluation of the Strategic Science Fund, which includes contributions to Mitacs Inc., is planned in 2027– 28.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with Mitacs, and reviews the Corporate Plan and Annual Report to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the funding agreements.

Mitacs has also been successful in the inaugural SSF competition. ISED officials have begun the process to onboard Mitacs to this new program.

April 19, 2021

March 31, 2026

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

Contributions to the National Artificial Intelligence Institutes is a named recipient, non-repayable contribution program. An initiative of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (PCAIS), the program's objectives are to:

• accelerate the translation of artificial intelligence research into commercial or other innovations;
• grow the capacity of Canadian businesses, not-for-profit organizations, health providers including hospitals, or other public corporations and agencies to develop, adopt, use, or commercialize artificial intelligence; and,
• encourage the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence based in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation and economic growth.

There are three eligible recipients of funds under the program: Amii in Edmonton, Alberta; Mila in Montreal, Quebec; and the Vector Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Each recipient is a not-for-profit corporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act that supports the advancement of artificial intelligence research, training, and innovation.

In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada provided funding for the program in the amount of $60 million over five years, starting in 2021‑22, with a maximum allowable contribution of $20 million to each eligible recipient.

In 2023‑24, the National Artificial Intelligence Institutes grew the capacity of businesses, and not-for-profit partners to develop, adopt, use, or commercialize artificial intelligence, with over a combined 545 engagement sessions:

• Over 300 organizations participating in institute-offered engagements; comprised of a mix of small, medium, and large enterprises in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors; and
• Over 9,000 individuals participating in institute-offered training.

An evaluation of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2.0 is planned for 2025‑26.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with recipients, and reviews corporate plans, financial reports to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of contribution agreements.

April 1, 2007

July 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (Perimeter Institute) is an independent, not-for-profit, research institute devoted to foundational issues in theoretical physics. Its mandate is to create and sustain a world leading centre for research, graduate training, and educational outreach in theoretical physics.

As of May 2024, the Perimeter Institute has trained 26 master's students in the Perimeter Scholars International program, including two students in the 2-year program with industry internships. It also trained 79 PhD students and 72 postdocs, including 27 postdocs newly arrived in 2023‑24.

Thus far, the Institute held 9 conferences with 637 in-person participants, held 265 seminars and academic talks with approximately 2,871 on-line participants and amassed 1,542,420 YouTube views, including 125,773 views from within Canada (an 84% increase from the previous period). Since inception, Perimeter's YouTube videos have been viewed more than 22 million times, including over 1.9 million views from within Canada. The channel has gained 168,000 subscribers in that time.

Note: The Perimeter Institute's fiscal year runs from August 1 to July 31, 2024. These are preliminary results which will be confirmed after the publication of the Perimeter Institute's 2023‑24 annual report in December 2024.

An evaluation of the Strategic Science Fund, which includes contributions to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, is planned in 2027–28.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with the Perimeter Institute and reviews the Corporate Plan and Annual Report to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the funding agreement.

April 1, 2022

March 31, 2024

Contribution

Annually through Estimates

There are no terms and conditions; the Contribution Agreement itself serves as the mechanism to govern the contribution.

Canadian science, technology and innovation research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

The purpose of the contribution is to provide financial assistance to the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute for the purpose of increasing collaboration in spinal cord injury research, innovation and care, and accelerate the translation of discoveries and best practices into improved treatments.
Objectives include:

• developing and enhancing knowledge and skills on spinal cord injury;
• producing and using scientific research on spinal cord injury;
• academic, public, and private sector collaboration on spinal cord injury projects;
• new or innovative products, tools and processes, and the development / retention of highly qualified personnel result from funded spinal cord injury research projects; and,
• scientific research and innovation on spinal cord injury produces socio-economic benefits.

In 2023‑24, Praxis achieved the following:

• Supported 131 individuals who have developed new skills;
• Supported the publishing of 59 articles on spinal cord injury in peer-reviewed journals;
• Supported 16 research and development collaborations;
• Supported projects that resulted in 1 patent or license;
• Supported the creation of 18 jobs for highly qualified personnel; and
• Supported 4 products, processes, services or technologies ready for use, including, for example, novel devices, therapeutics, services or other technologies that enter the Canadian market.

As a single recipient contribution, ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with the recipient, and reviews the Corporate Plan and Annual Report to track its progress towards that achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement.

Praxis has also been successful in the inaugural SSF competition. ISED officials have begun the process to onboard Praxis to this new program.

2021‑22

March 31, 2026

Non-repayable contributions

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2021‑22

People and communities from all segments from Canadian society participate in the economy

Support for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs

The SBED program aims to break down barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Canada, particularly equity deserving groups, to start, maintain, and grow a business, by providing targeted support to enhance overall sustainability, and drive growth, competitiveness, innovation, and productivity toward broader economic and social benefits. Initiatives under the SBED program will align to one or more of the following objectives:

• Strengthen Canada's entrepreneurship ecosystem to be more accessible for small businesses and entrepreneurs, including those owned by equity deserving groups;
• Increase opportunities for SMEs to start, scale, grow, and maintain a business and/or adjust to new economic realities; and,
• Build awareness of issues faced by entrepreneurs, particularly equity deserving groups, to improve coordination of supports and close gaps in service.

Assistance under the SBED program is provided in the form of non-repayable contributions to Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) to support the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program, the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB), and the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA).

Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), which leads and administers the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program, launched a call for proposals for its Ecosystem Fund in November 2023 and Knowledge Hub in January 2024. Both calls for proposals ended in Winter 2024 (Q4 FY 2023‑24).

The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is an international trade workshop that helps Canadian SMEs develop their exporting capabilities by providing them with access to Canada's top exporting advisors, resources, networks, and training. In 2023‑24, TAP graduated 525 SMEs across 27 cohorts and referred SMEs to GAC's Trade Commissioner Service (320 referrals), EDC (32), and BDC (12) for further export support. TAP also offers Advanced Trade Certificates, which focus on providing specific training to participating SMEs. Advanced Trade Certificates added 210 SME graduates across 13 cohorts, and referred them all to GAC, EDC, and BDC for additional support. About 61% of TAP SMEs were owned or led by an equity-deserving group including women (51%), visible minorities (30%), members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community (6%), Indigenous Canadians (5%), and youth (1%).

SBED funding for CANDO, CCIB, and NACCA, is used to support the Indigenous entrepreneurship ecosystem. This funding supports the delivery of priority projects to research issues faced by Indigenous entrepreneurs as well as increase opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs, particularly young Indigenous entrepreneurs.

An evaluation is planned in 2025‑26.

ISED engages with applicants and recipients of the program to determine feasibility of projects for funding and/or to monitor progress of funded projects.

As well, ISED has leveraged co-development with ecosystem organizations and entrepreneurs to develop strong projects, drive engagement and develop partnerships with recipients and entrepreneurship communities.

For example, ISED regularly meets with CGLCC to manage the contribution agreement for the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program. CGLCC works with a range of partners to connect them with its network of 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, including Bell, Google, McDonalds, Sobeys, and more. CGLCC is also connected with regional affiliate 2SLGBTQI+ chambers of commerce across Canada, including the Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and Loud Business (BC), as well as international affiliate LGBT+ chambers. CGLCC also maintains community partnerships, such as with FC and Startup Canada, and others.

ISED engaged each TAP delivery partner on a quarterly basis to obtain feedback on the program, funding, and the needs of SMEs.

July 22, 2016

March 31, 2025

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a single recipient non-repayable contribution program, under which SCN is the only recipient. SCN is a national not-for-profit corporation dedicated to enabling the translation of regenerative medicine and stem cell research into clinical applications, commercial products and public policy by funding research projects in Canadian universities and hospitals and partnering with international collaborators from institutions around the world. It was first established in 2001 as one of the Networks of Centres of Excellence. The contribution to SCN is non-repayable. Budget 2021 provided funding of $45 million over three years to SCN beginning in 2022‑23.

In 2023‑24, the SCN supported 57 research projects, and 14 researchers involved in international collaborations. It also trained 835 unique highly qualified people and raised $31.85 million in cash and in-kind partner contributions.

An evaluation of the Strategic Science Fund, which includes contributions to the Stem Cell Network, is planned in 2027–28.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with SCN and reviews the Corporate Plan and Annual Report to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement.

SCN has also been successful in the inaugural SSF competition. ISED officials began the process to onboard SCN to this new program.

July 5, 2017

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2017–18

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Business Innovation

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is a mixed contributions program and is comprised of 5 different streams: R&D and commercialization, firm expansion and growth, investment attraction and reinvestment, national innovation networks, and collaborative technology development and demonstration, to drive business scale-up, technology development and commercialization.

Eligible recipients can be corporations incorporated in Canada, and consortia of such entities, depending on the stream. The contributions can be repayable, non-repayable, or conditionally repayable depending on the stream. Through various additional top ups, including $7.2 billion announced in Budget 2021, $1.04 billion announced in Budget 2022 and $500 million announced in Budget 2023, SIF now has funding of $18.5 billion over 13 years. The maximum contribution amount for an eligible project is $500 million.

In 2023‑24, the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) continued to secure impactful investments for Canadians, providing nearly $2.8 billion to 20 projects. These projects have committed $4.9 billion in research and development (R&D) investments, creating 3,700 jobs, maintaining over 10,000 positions, and over 4,700 co-op opportunities.

ISED continues to foster Canada's competitive advantage in the electrical vehicle (EV) industry, with SIF providing support for the $7 billion investment by Volkswagen-backed PowerCo to establish an electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant with battery production capabilities for up to one million EVs per year.

Additionally, as part of ISED's support of the green transformation of Canadian industries and ensuring the resilience of the Canadian aerospace industry in an evolving global economy, SIF committed $350 million to support Canada's new Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT). This project will establish a pan-Canadian, aerospace network focused on funding collaborative research and development projects, focusing on hybrid and alternative propulsion and the transition to alternative fuels. ISED also continued its efforts through the Net-Zero-Accelerator, signing 8 projects to continue efforts to transition Canada to a low-carbon economy.

SIF also continued to promote gender equality and inclusive workplaces through newly signed SIF projects, addressing the under-representation of equity-seeking groups through commitments made in comprehensive equity diversity and inclusivity plans and participation in the 50-30 challenge.

An evaluation is planned in 2026‑27.

Information about SIF and the application processes are available on the SIF website. Officials engage with applicants throughout the application process and there is ongoing engagement with recipients after projects have been funded. For projects that do not fit within the program's parameters, SIF works with other departments to identify programs that could be a better fit for applicants.

November 9, 2020

March 31, 2027

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2020‑21

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Bridging Digital Divides

The $3.2 billion Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) will support high-speed Internet projects across the country over seven years. It has been designed to fund broadband infrastructure projects that will bring high-speed Internet at 50/10 Megabits per second (Mbps) to rural and remote communities. In addition to funding a diversity of high-speed Internet projects to connect Canadians, there is:

• up to $50 million available to support mobile Internet projects that primarily benefit Indigenous peoples, including projects along highways and roads where mobile connectivity is lacking;
• up to $750 million available for large, high-impact projects; and,
• a Rapid Response Stream for shovel-ready projects that can be completed quickly.

The UBF is part of the Government of Canada's coordinated plan to connect all Canadians, as outlined in Canada's Connectivity Strategy. It is also consistent with the Government's roadmap for supporting strong and resilient rural communities.

As of March 31, 2024, over $2.2 billion in UBF funding was announced that will provide high-speed Internet access to 915,384 households. This includes 329 projects announced in detail as well as 6 broadband co-funding agreements with provinces that leverage an additional $2 billion in provincial funding. Under the mobile stream, 4 projects have been announced to date that will improve mobile connectivity along 267 kilometers of road.

As of March 31, 2024, 254,008 households—including 13,904 Indigenous households—now have new access to high-speed Internet as a result of UBF projects.

Overall, 94.8% of Canadian homes have access to high-speed Internet today, and the government is on track to exceed its target to provide access to 98% by 2026.

An evaluation is planned in 2024‑25.

Engagement activities include enhanced outreach with applicants on project development through a pathfinder service; coordination with provincial/territorial and First Nations groups, partners and other government departments and agencies to leverage funding available for broadband; a website with an interactive mapping tool; sustained social media presence; and ongoing interaction and monitoring of project recipients.

April 1, 2022

March 31, 2025

Contribution Agreement

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2022‑23

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Talent Development

The Upskilling for Industry Initiative (UII) is aimed at scaling up employer-driven approaches to upskill and redeploy workers to meet the needs of growing industries. The UII aims to enable skills ecosystem that is more responsive to employers' need and thus supporting growth and innovation.

The current recipient for UII is Palette Skills, a national not-for-profit organization that is delivering its programming through its Upskill Canada project.

In 2023‑24, the initiative's funding recipient delivered training to 1,657 mid-career workers. Due to the national scope of the work, additional time was required to select and enter into sub-agreements with partners to scale up programming and, as a result, the program fell short of its target (7,750) for the fiscal year.

Through an updated financial profile, now ending in 2025‑26, the program is still expecting to meet its objective to deliver training opportunities to more than 15,000 workers.

Palette Skills, UII's funding recipient, and its partners engage industry representatives to identify employers' skills needs and deliver upskilling programs to meet them.

ISED manages the contribution agreement with Palette Skills and engages with the lead recipient to help foster partnerships, receive key updates on the progress towards deliverables and performance targets and the status of activities.

October 18, 2018

WES Ecosystem Fund — March 31, 2025

Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund – March 31, 2024

Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative – March 31, 2025

WES — Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Support for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs

The WES is a whole of government strategy that helps increase women-owned businesses' access to the financing, networks and expertise to start up, scale up and access new markets. The WES represents commitments and investments from approximately twenty federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations to help women entrepreneurs and strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem. ISED is responsible for several program streams under the WES:

• WES Ecosystem Fund: A program that provides funding to not-for-profit -organizations to deliver supports for women entrepreneurs and address gaps in the ecosystem. In addition to an initial $100 million Ecosystem investment in 2018 and 2020, through Budget 2021, the WES Ecosystem Fund received $65 million in additional funding (through the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Program – SBEDP) to further address gaps in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Total program investment since 2018 is $165 million.
• Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund: This $55 million program is designed to provide affordable financing in smaller amounts for women entrepreneurs, and address under-served, diverse women entrepreneurs.
• Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative (IWVCI): This $15 million initiative is designed to strengthen and build a more inclusive venture capital environment for Canadian women, especially for diverse, intersectional and/or under-served women.

Note: For the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub: see the table titled "Support for Women Entrepreneurs".

Results for each stream include:

• WES Ecosystem Fund:
• Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund:
• Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative (IWVCI):

In 2023‑24, 24 WES Ecosystem Fund projects delivered services and resources to 20,930 women entrepreneurs, of which 10,893 were from equity-deserving groups. Projects focused on providing business supports such as training, mentorship, and financial literacy to help address systemic barriers faced by diverse women in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. For example, WES Ecosystem Fund projects have helped women entrepreneurs start new businesses and grow existing ones, pursue export opportunities, improve processes and technology, and access supplier diversity initiatives.

In 2023‑24, the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund made loans of up to $50,000 available for diverse, under-served women entrepreneurs through five loan administrators. In total, 398 women entrepreneurs received loans totalling approximately $10 million to help start or grow their businesses. Of these 398 women entrepreneurs: 37 identified as Indigenous, 112 identified as visible minorities and 18 identified as persons with disabilities.

In 2023‑24, the IWVCI sought to build a more inclusive venture capital environment for Canadian women entrepreneurs. As such, 2,279 women have been supported through 5 projects delivered by not-for-profit organizations under the IWVCI to increase Canadian women entrepreneurs' access to venture capital funding, contribute to increasing representation of women in the Canadian venture capital industry, and reduce biases in the industry. Of these 2,279 women, 703 were from equity-deserving groups.

A final report from the evaluation of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) delivered WES initiatives (2018-2023) is expected in 2024-25.

An evaluation of ISED-delivered WES initiatives (2021-2025) is planned to take place in 2024-25.

For WES Ecosystem Fund recipients, Loan Fund delivery organizations and IWVCI recipients, ISED regularly engages recipient organizations on funding delivery, reporting requirements and the evaluation of program activities as per the results framework.

September 28, 2017

March 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2017–18 / amended 2022‑23

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Bridging Digital Divides

The Accessible Technology Program is a non-repayable contribution program. It has the objective of developing assistive technologies to enable Canadians living with disabilities to participate more fully in the digital economy and increase accessibility to the Internet.

Between April 1st, 2023, and December 31, 2024, ATP has supported eleven new projects and a minimum of four solutions being commercially available. By the end of the 2023‑24 fiscal year, the ATP made a total of 11 commercially solutions available.

Recipients are engaged through regular outreach on project development as well as monitoring and reporting of projects. Based on ongoing feedback received from recipients during these engagement processes, program procedures are adapted, resulting in improved program delivery and more streamlined claim and risk analysis processes.

October 1, 2017

March 31, 2027

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Bridging Digital Divides

The Connecting Families initiative is closing the gaps in internet affordability and accessibility across the country. The initiative provides low-cost Internet service plans to low-income Canadians through partnership with private sector.

As of March 31, 2024, 85,933 families and seniors are now receiving a Connecting Families initiative (CFI) internet package. That is a +0.55% increase from 2023 (where 85 457 Canadians were served).

Recipients are engaged through regular monitoring and reporting. All recipients participate in bi-monthly teleconference meetings, site visits and an annual meeting to discuss potential issues, trends and the future of the program.

November 30, 2020

March 31, 2025

Non-repayable contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2020‑21

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Support for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs

The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP), through its three initiatives, aims to break down systematic barriers to start, maintain, and grow a business among Black entrepreneurs by providing targeted support to enhance overall sustainability, and drive growth, competitiveness, innovation, and productivity toward broader economic and social benefits.

The Loan Fund will help Black business owners and entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses now and into the future. The Loan Fund is delivered by the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada and provides loans of up to $250,000 for Black business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada.

The Knowledge Hub will increase the research and data on Black entrepreneurship in Canada through the creation of a Hub that will advance evidence-based research, identify critical gaps, and strengthen coordination of support for Black entrepreneurs.

The BEP Ecosystem Fund, managed by Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), will provide financial support to Black-led support organizations who provide business advisory services to Black entrepreneurs, allowing them to increase their existing offerings and grow the number of businesses they support.

Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

In 2023‑24, despite the economic headwinds, the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund continued to support Black entrepreneurs to access capital to start, grow and innovate their businesses. The Loan Fund administered by the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE Coalition) in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), approved $15.7 million in support of 176 loans, of which $12.99 million was disbursed to 152 businesses. Since inception in 2021, the Loan Fund has approved $52.97 million in loans and disbursed $38.37 million.

The loan administrator also engaged with the community through hosting and attending approximately 75 events nationwide.

Operationally, FACE Coalition established the Credit Risk Adjudication Subcommittee (CRAS), which has been instrumental in refining internal loan decision processes. They initiated a business process improvement during 2023‑24, migrating to more advanced and robust platforms. They invested in additional human capital by hiring new employees across various departments to support these changes. These operational improvements enabled them to meet Service Level Agreement (SLA) by 94%, reflecting efficiency and client satisfaction.

Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub

In 2023‑24, the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub continued to gather intelligence on the Black entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Canada. Supported by six regional hubs, the Hub launched its flagship Ecosystem Mapping Project, designed to help Black entrepreneurs and business owners access a network of resources, opportunities for business partnerships, and boost their profile among investors and customers. The Hub continues to hold community engagements nationally to support this mapping tool.

In 2023‑24, the Hub held its annual symposium with Black academics and stakeholders to take stock of research projects underway. Additionally, the Hub launched a number of research projects, including a national quantitative survey, a qualitative study, and eight community-driven research projects.

The Hub continues to convene quarterly meetings with BEP-funded organizations to share lessons learned and explore opportunities for continued growth of their initiatives.

During 2023‑24, the Hub engaged with over 831 organizations and reached 1,298 participants through its activities and events.

An evaluation is planned in 2024‑25.

ISED maintains an ongoing dialogue with the Loan Administrator, FACE and the Knowledge Hub and reviews quarterly and annual reports to monitor progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the funding agreements.

ISED works with the RDAs to support the delivery the Ecosystem Fund component of BEP and holds regular meetings with them to discuss any emerging issues.

1993

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2020‑21

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Bridging Digital Divides

Through the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program, donated surplus computer equipment and devices are refurbished by youth interns hired by the program's national, provincial and territorial program partners. Once refurbished, the computer equipment and devices are distributed to schools, libraries, not-for-profit organizations Indigenous communities and eligible low-income Canadians across Canada. Through this national partnership-based network, the program ensures improved access for Canadians to technology.

The CFS program celebrated its 30th year anniversary in 2023. The CFS program was able to distribute over 75,167 devices to Canadians in the 2023‑24 fiscal year as it surpassed its target of 60,000. This brings the running total of devices distributed since the inception of the program to more than 2 million devices.

An evaluation of the Computers for Schools Plus and Computers for Schools Intern Programs is planned in 2027–28.

Recipients are engaged through regular monitoring and reporting. All recipients participate in bi–monthly teleconference meetings, site visits and an annual meeting to discuss potential issues, trends and the future of the program.

1997

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2022‑23 – Adopted the YESS Horizontal Terms and Conditions

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Talent Development

Through the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program, donated surplus computer equipment and devices are refurbished by youth interns hired by the program's national, provincial and territorial program partners. Once refurbished, the computer equipment and devices are distributed to schools, libraries, not-for-profit organizations Indigenous communities and eligible low-income Canadians across Canada. Through this national partnership-based network, the program ensures improved access for Canadians to technology.

In 2023‑24, 208 youth participated in the program, exceeding its target of 149. The CFSI program also falls under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS).

An evaluation of the Computers for Schools Plus and Computers for Schools Intern Programs is planned in 2027–28.

Recipients are engaged through regular monitoring and reporting. All recipients participate in monthly teleconference meetings, site visits and an annual meeting to discuss potential issues, trends and the future of the program.

June 28, 2022

March 31, 2026

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2020‑21

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing.

Business Innovation

Budget 2019 provided $80 million over four years to support three or more Canadian cyber security centres across Canada that are affiliated with post-secondary institutions to address the growing need for Canada to:

• enhance and expand cyber security research and development;
• increase commercialization; and develop skilled talent.

The Lead Recipient of the program is the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC), a not-for-profit organization federally incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and located in Canada.

In 2023‑24, the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC) announced recipients of its first call for proposals. With projects totalling over $39.2 million, the NCC committed $11.2 million to projects ranging from building a cyber-resilient secure 5G network using AI to offering a hybrid master's program in cybersecurity analytics.

The NCC also launched its second call for proposals with recipients expected to be announced in fall 2024.

An evaluation of the Cyber Security Innovation Network is planned in 2026‑27.

ISED maintains a regular and ongoing dialogue with the NCC, and reviews the Corporate Plan and Annual Report to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the Contribution Agreement (CA).

September 28, 2022

March 31, 2027

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2022‑23

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

Through a contribution to the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC), ISED will provide $39 million in funding announced in Budget 2021 to provide dedicated computing capacity for Artificial Intelligence (AI) researchers as part of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy. DRAC will provide funding to ultimate recipients for the procurement and operation of AI computing infrastructure, which will be spread across three national AI host sites, namely; the University of Laval, the University of Alberta, and the University of Toronto.

The objective of this project is to provide dedicated computing capacity for Canadian Institute of Advanced Research (CIFAR)'s AI Chairs at the national artificial intelligence institutes in Edmonton, Toronto, and Montréal. DRAC, in collaboration with CIFAR, the AI institutes, the Regional Organizations, and the Host Sites will acquire, deliver, and support three new dedicated compute systems designed and dedicated for AI research integrated into the National DRI platform.

By providing dedicated computing capacity for AI research, this project will support talent and expand research capacity in Canadian AI.

In 2023‑24, the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC) planned and coordinated the procurement of new systems, with Canada's AI institutes and associated host sites, launching the procurement process. Additionally, DRAC worked with its partners to design how the new architecture and systems would function as part of the integrated national platform.

An evaluation of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2.0 is planned in 2025‑26.

ISED maintains ongoing dialogue with DRAC, and reviews its annual business plans and reports to monitor its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement. DRAC is also engaged through communications with their project officers on a regular basis.

January 16, 2019

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018–19

Businesses, investors and consumers are confident in the Canadian marketplace, including the digital economy

Intellectual Property

As part of the Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy, the Indigenous IP Program (IIPP) grant seeks to support Indigenous Peoples' IP awareness and capacity building, and enabling participation of Indigenous representatives in the development and implementation of policy and programs at both the domestic and international level relating to the relationships between the IP system and the protection of Indigenous knowledge (IK) and Indigenous cultural expressions (ICEs). The program grant seeks to improve the inclusiveness of the IP system in Canada by funding Indigenous communities, governments, companies, associations, and other eligible organizations. Budget 2018 provided funding in the amount of $1 million over five years (2018–19 to 2022‑23) and $200,000 ongoing – with the majority of funds provided through the IIPP grants ($125K in 2019–20 and 2021‑22 and $150,000 in 2018–19 and 2020‑21, 2022‑23 and ongoing) and the remaining funds used for engagement, research, and other operational activities to support the delivery of the IIPP initiatives.

In 2023‑24, ISED received 36 applications for the IIPP grants, of which 28 were found eligible for consideration. Of those, ISED awarded $144,607.00 of the total $150,000 budget to 4 Indigenous organizations. During 2023‑24, we reviewed areas where efficiencies could be improved, including timing for the examination and review of applications, and the completion of contracts, and will implement our findings for the 2024‑25 fiscal year.

Each recipient of a grant is sent a survey to seek suggestions on improvement of the IIPP grants, and other applicants have sent us emails with other suggestions. The main suggestion was the amount of time it takes between the deadline to submit applications and the actual announcement of the successful candidates. In particular, we received accolades about the letters of rejection we sent. These applicants were pleased with the tone of the letters and the encouragement they felt to try again the following year.

December, 2017

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2017–18

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Business Innovation

Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) is a research and development (R&D) procurement program that supports the growth, scale-up, and commercialization objectives of innovative Canadian firms. ISC consists of two funding streams, Challenge and Testing, focused on early and late-stage research and development respectively. The program has five core objectives:

• Fuel the development and adoption of technological innovation in Canada;
• Support the growth of Canadian companies and commercialization of Canadian innovation through direct funding to support early-stage and late-stage prototypes;
• Encourage the procurement of technologies developed by companies led by underrepresented groups such as women, Indigenous, youth, disabled individuals, LGBTQ2+ and others;
• Foster greater industry-research collaboration through the release of challenges for solutions that address key Government of Canada priorities; and,
• Provide federal departments and agencies with opportunities to develop new capabilities to meet their research and development needs and advance government priorities.

Since inception, the program has issued 846 awards, either as grants or procurement contracts, including 422 contracts to support innovation prototype testing, and 424 of combined grants and contracts to advance early-stage research and development along the technology development cycle.

In 2023‑24, ISC launched 21 funding opportunities and received over 1,300 applications in response, representing a 68% increase in applications from the previous year.

Over two thirds of funded late-stage innovations were commercialized and just over half of the funded companies exported.

ISC funding helped most of its companies create new full-time employment positions. According to post-funding data, for example over two thirds of Small and Medium Enterprises that participated in either program stream created full time positions, mostly in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math sector.

The program continues to attract and fund a high rate of companies that self-report ownership by traditionally underrepresented groups with 84% of applicants self-reporting diverse ownership and 80% of all awarded companies following this pattern.

Additional representation of ISC's results achieved can be found in ISC's 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 annual reports.

In 2023‑24, ISC's outreach and engagement efforts contributed to attracting more applicants to the program's funding opportunities.

Digital Growth and Engagement: ISC has seen continuous and consistent growth in its digital following. The program has dedicated more time to directly engaging with companies to highlight the positive impact it has had on SMEs across Canada. Key achievements include:

• Publishing six new feature stories, promoted through digital communication channels.
• Growing the newsfeed subscription list to over 19,500 unique subscribers (an increase of 4,500 from the previous year).
• Increasing LinkedIn followers to over 9,500 (an increase of 2,500 from the previous year).
• Actively connecting and re-posting content related to program projects.
• Continuing outreach to new groups through digital engagement and attendance at select innovation ecosystem events.

Education and Awareness: As ISC continues to educate the innovation ecosystem and SMEs about its existence, the high number of applications has allowed for more direct engagement with successful innovators.

Inter-Governmental and Indigenous Engagement:

• Fostered better inter-governmental engagement with other groups supporting SMEs to ensure awareness of new funding opportunities.
• Engaged with groups supporting Indigenous innovators to provide in-depth education about the program and its benefits.

These efforts have collectively enhanced ISC's visibility and impact, driving more applications and fostering innovation across Canada.

January 16, 2019

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2018–19

Businesses, investors and consumers are confident in the Canadian marketplace, including the digital economy

Intellectual Property

The Intellectual Property (IP) Clinics Program, one of the elements of the IP Strategy, is a grant program intended to encourage the establishment or enhancement of IP clinics within Canadian law schools. The objectives of the IP Clinics Program are to enable university students to learn more about IP, help businesses get a sense of their IP needs. and facilitate access to the professionals that can provide quality IP advice. By supporting the provision of free or low-cost access to basic IP advisory services, the IP Clinics Program helps Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs better understand, protect, and commercialize IP. In addition, by increasing the exposure of university students to IP issues, it fosters the development of future IP experts.

In 2023‑24, a total of $350,000 was available in grants under the IP Clinics Program for Canadian university law and business schools to establish a new IP clinic or enhance services of an existing one. This marked the first year in which Canadian university business schools were eligible to apply. In 2023‑24, seventeen Canadian universities submitted proposals for funding, totalling over $1 million. Of those, six universities were selected to receive funding under the program, totalling $350,000.

Program officials are primarily engaged with applicants and recipients electronically and virtually. The Program operates as a website, where applicants have access to an electronic application form as well as the program's generic email inbox. Additionally, in 2023‑24, all eligible recipients, i.e. all Canadian university law and business schools, are informed by email when the call for applications open and closes. All selected recipients under the program, including recipients for 2023‑24, are listed in the IP Clinics Program dedicated webpage. All selected recipients are required to submit a final report on results and benefits achieved once their project is completed.

2000–01

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2015–16

Businesses, investors and consumers are confident in the Canadian marketplace, including the digital economy

Marketplace Protection and Promotion

Internal Trade Secretariat

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is an intergovernmental internal trade agreement that came into force July 1, 2017. The purpose of the CFTA is to reduce and eliminate, to the extent possible, barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services and investment within Canada and to establish an open, efficient and stable domestic market. The Internal Trade Secretariat provides administrative and operational support to the Committee on Internal Trade, to its Chair and to other committees or working groups established under the CFTA or by the committee. The Secretariat supports the Committee on Internal Trade in preparing the reports, compiling and disseminating information from parties and ensuring appropriate support for the dispute resolution process. As a neutral third party, the Secretariat has facilitated ongoing negotiations to broaden and deepen the scope of the CFTA.

The Secretariat's work requires close and continuous contact with federal, provincial and territorial governments to facilitate the smooth and effective operation of the committees and working groups. The Secretariat plays an important role in assisting parties to fully implement the CFTA, to pursue negotiations mandated by the CFTA and to meet their outstanding obligations under the CFTA. All parties share the Secretariat's operating costs. The federal government's share of the Secretariat's budget is 50%, which is paid by ISED through a grant.

• Operational Support:
  • Provided administrative support for over 100 virtual and 3 in-person CFTA meetings, including the Annual General Meeting on August 29, 2023.
  • Assisted with the development of the draft Internal Trade Action Plan and revised the consolidated CFTA to reflect Party-specific amendments.
• Administrative Services:
  • Prepared the 2023‑24 Annual Operating Plan, quarterly activity reports, and contributed to the 2022‑23 audited financial statements.
  • Enhanced cybersecurity measures and successfully recruited a Senior Internal Trade Officer.
• Dispute Resolution:
  • Monitored disputes under the CFTA, supporting the ongoing case between Fathom Marine Inc. and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
  • Updated rosters for panelists and dispute resolution processes.
• Information and Communications:
  • Prepared the 2022‑23 CFTA Annual Report and launched the new RCT website on September 27, 2023.
  • Regularly updated CFTA-related websites and responded to public and Party inquiries on internal trade.

The Fort Group Chartered Professional Accountants provided the Independent Auditor's Report on the ITSC's Financial Statements for 2022‑23. The Fort Group found that the ITSC fairly represented its financial positions in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations.

Fort Group offered a qualified opinion since the Internal Trade Secretariat Corporation does not capitalize and amortize its tangible capital assets.

The Secretariat has established five key objectives to guide its work on an ongoing basis and the following provides the evaluation of these five objectives:

• Goal 1 – Operational services: Mostly Met
• Goal 2 – Administrative services: Mostly Met
• Goal 3 – Dispute resolution services: Met
• Goal 4 – Information services: Met
• Goal 5 – Communications services: Mostly Met

The ITSC, in evaluating its performance in its 2022‑23 Annual Report, uses the following scale – Met, Mostly Met, Partially Met, Not Met, or N/A.

The ITSC is the sole recipient for this grant. As such, there are no other applicants or recipients to engage.

1932-33

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2010–11

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Spectrum and Telecommunications

ISED leads the Government of Canada's engagement in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Canada is bound by its treaty obligations to participate in the ITU, in conformity with the ITU Constitution and Convention. The ITU is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for information and communication technologies, coordinating the global development of telecommunications and is the multilateral forum overseeing the use of the radio frequency spectrum. Payment of annual membership fees is a binding, treaty-based obligation of membership. ISED leads Canada's participation and membership in the ITU to facilitate the continued growth, innovation and international competitiveness of Canada's telecommunication sector.

In 2023‑24, ISED was successful in advancing Canada's international telecommunication and ICT priorities, as exemplified by the results of the World Radio Communication conference (WRC-23), and by the participation in several standardization, radiocommunication, and development meetings. In addition, ISED actively participated in the 2023 session of the Council and Council Working Groups, ensuring enhanced accountability and transparency by the ITU in the administration of its financial and human resources.

The ITU is a single recipient program with all grants going to the ITU

July 23, 2019

August 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

There are no terms and conditions. The Contribution Agreement itself serves as the mechanism to govern the contribution.

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

Budget 2019 provided $9.1 million to support construction of the Centre for Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria. This was in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, specifically Action #50: "In keeping with the United National Declaration on Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, we call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal organizations, to fund the establishment of Indigenous law institutes for the development, use and understanding of Indigenous laws and access to justice in accordance with the unique cultures of Aboriginal peoples in Canada".

The creation of the world's first national Centre for Indigenous Law fills an important gap within the Canadian and international landscape. The Centre will be hosted by the University of Victoria and be home to the Indigenous Law Research Unit and the Juris Doctor/Juris Indigenarum degrees (JD/JID – Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders), and serve as a national centre for dialogue, research, and knowledge transfer.

1997 (in its current form)

Ongoing

Contribution

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2018–19

Businesses, investors and consumers are confident in the Canadian marketplace, including the digital economy

Marketplace Protection and Promotion

The program aims to strengthen the consumer's role in the marketplace through support to non-profit consumer advocacy organizations to undertake research and analysis on emerging consumer protection issues, and by encouraging the financial self-sufficiency of consumer and voluntary organizations.

ISED supported 14 consumer advocacy organizations across Canada for the 2023-2025 call for proposals (which spans over 2023‑24 and 2024-25) for a total of 24 projects funded. Funded projects focus on a range of thematic, including digital consumer protection; systemic barriers, affordability and other risks to vulnerable consumer; sustainable consumption and the circular economy; and consumers and the financial sector. In addition, a targeted call for proposals was held in late 2023, with a focus on grocery affordability.

ISED officials regularly communicate with recipients and stakeholders, which provides ongoing opportunities to receive feedback about the program and its delivery. These discussions are undertaken both at the working level and with senior management to ensure all levels of decision-makers understand the context within which recipients are working. ISED also regularly engaged with each recipient to establish agreements and discuss the progress of their projects, providing advice and guidance as needed with respect to program requirements, as well as discuss the program more generally.

2009–10

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2009–10

Canadian science, technology and innovation (STIn) research contributes to knowledge transfer

Science and Research

The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Grants Program provides authority to fund specific OECD research projects that advance the mandate priorities of the Department. It allows ISED to influence the scope of projects, leveraging OECD expertise and resources to:

• Respond to specific economic and policy analysis gaps that would benefit from international expertise and comparability;
• Provide a better understanding of Canada's positioning within a global context and ensures that Canada is represented in OECD datasets and economic trend analysis; and,
• Target longer-term research on emerging trends and persistent economic challenges of relevance to Canadian governments, businesses and consumers.

• OECD Forums:
  • Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC): Canada led the GFSEC in 2023, renewing its governance structure. The Minister chaired a GFSEC Ministerial Meeting with participation from over 20 member countries, resulting in a joint statement promoting fair market access.
  • Tourism Committee: The Committee's work focused on post-COVID-19 tourism recovery, conducting an analysis of tourism policies in 38 OECD member countries. This research addressed tourism resiliency, workforce challenges, green economy transitions, and investment attraction to guide Canada's ongoing efforts in strengthening its tourism economy.
• OECD Research Projects:
  • AI and Skills: Funded an analysis of AI skills adoption and job trends across multiple Canadian industry sectors. The project analyzed thousands of online job postings and will present final results, including consultations with stakeholders, in fall 2024.
  • Productivity in 4IR Technologies: The OECD provided preliminary data on patents filed from 2000 to 2020, with a focus on Core Technologies, Enabling Technologies, and Application Domains. The final report, which includes data from various global patent offices, is expected in November 2024.
  • Sectoral Cluster Policies: Supported research on sectoral cluster policies, particularly in advanced manufacturing. In its first year, the project scoped its objectives, targeting over 50 stakeholders for interviews within Canada's advanced manufacturing sector

Intra-departmental applicants are engaged through a department-wide callout. The OECD Grants Program is a single recipient program, with all grants going to the OECD. The Grants are used by the recipient to implement the projects in accordance with the provisions of Grant Arrangements, which are developed by the OECD in coordination with ISED. The results of supported projects are shared within and across the department to assist the department in fulfilling its mandate and in meeting its strategic outcomes.

• Provided a forum for the discussion, development and consolidation of expert technical position and advice related to radio communication issues with 4 quarterly meetings and numerous working group meetings throughout the fiscal year;
• Developed broad-based, unbiased technical expert advice on standards, guidelines, procedures, and policies relating to technical issues and technical considerations of spectrum management and usage, as well as the administration of national radio communications;
• Developed and maintained a membership that fully represents the radio communications community in Canada, including broadcasters, carriers and commercial service providers, experimenters, manufacturers, national security and public safety agencies, public utilities, and the scientific community; currently, there are 20 organizations/associations who are members of the RABC; and,
• Invited non-members to participate in discussions when appropriate in order to ensure the Board's advice represents the radio communications community as fully as possible.

April 2, 2007

March 31, 2023; Consolidated into SIF July 5, 2017

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2016–17

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Business Innovation

The Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) encourages the development of innovative products, processes and services; enhances the competitiveness of Canadian aerospace, defence, space and security (A&D) firms; and fosters collaboration among research institutes, universities, colleges and the private sector. SADI is a component of the government's strategy to mobilize science and technology to Canada's competitive advantage. SADI acts as a catalyst for new A&D investments by providing repayable contributions to Canadian A&D companies for strategic industrial research and pre-competitive development.

Consolidated into SIF July 5, 2017.

October 18, 2018

March 31, 2026

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2023‑24

People and communities from all segments of Canadian society participate in the economy

Support for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs

The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub will serve as a one-stop source of knowledge, data and best practices for women entrepreneurs. It will deliver a number of activities intended to support the advancement of women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds throughout the innovation ecosystem, such as:

• Report on the progress of women entrepreneurs in Canada, including a measure or review of the entrepreneurship ecosystem supports for women in Canada;
• Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information;
• Advancing research on women's entrepreneurship; and,
• Supporting and sharing best practices and knowledge among women business support organizations.

The WEKH has continued to play a central role in the collection of data, research and sharing of best practices within the women entrepreneurship ecosystem. In November 2023, an additional $3.8 million was awarded to WEKH to advance its research and expand tools and resources to support diverse women entrepreneurs until March 2026.

In 2023‑24, the WEKH prepared more than 20 reports and articles on women entrepreneurs addressing a range of sectors and aspects of the women entrepreneurship ecosystem, as well as specific populations of women entrepreneurs through an intersectional lens. Through data-sharing agreements with ecosystem organizations, the WEKH has collected data on over 5,000 diverse women entrepreneurs.

As well, the WEKH participated in, or co-sponsored, 720 events in 2023‑24 attended by more than 28,997 participants.

In March 2024, WEKH hosted an International Women's Day event in Toronto to preview the key findings from its fifth annual State of Women's Entrepreneurship in Canada 2024 report. The event attracted over 330 attendees. The full report will be available in 2024-25.

To support connections, the WEKH offers a sharing platform connecting women entrepreneurs and business support organizations with 1,489 active users in 2023‑24.

As of March 31, 2024, over 3,100 organizations serving women entrepreneurs have been engaged in WEKH's network, including 547 women-centric business support organizations, 590 organizations serving Francophone women entrepreneurs and 296 organizations directly serving Indigenous women entrepreneurs.

WEKH's bilingual "See It. Be It." database features profiles of over 1,800 diverse, award-winning Canadian

women entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries, sectors, stages of business and geographic

regions to help encourage women to become entrepreneurs. Since its launch in March 2021, the "See It. Be It." campaign has reached thousands.

An evaluation of the Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy (Regional Development Agency-delivered initiatives) was conducted in 2023‑24 and will be completed in 2024-25 and an evaluation of the Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy (ISED-delivered initiatives) is planned in 2024‑25. The WEKH will be evaluated as part of the upcoming evaluation of ISED-delivered WES initiatives planned to take place in 2024-25.

ISED held regular meetings with the WEKH on a variety of topics including gaps or issues identified within the ecosystem, planned/proposed areas of research and annual conference planning. These discussions enabled WEKH to best focus resources and ISED to consider areas for future program/policy development.

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Tourism

The Tourism Relief Fund is a contribution program with two components – a regional stream delivered by the Regional Development Agencies, and a national stream delivered by ISED. The objective of the national stream is to support the advancement of national tourism priorities aligned with Canada's Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. Budget 2021 provided temporary funding in the amount of $15 million over two years to support national tourism organizations in strategically adapting their products and services to adjust to public health requirements, while planning for and investing in recovery efforts for future growth.

Under the National Priorities Stream, contribution agreements totalling $14,6 million were executed with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Hotel Association of Canada and Tourism Human Resources Canada.

All projects have been completed, and the final review of results and processing of claims is on-going.

Recipients developed training materials and programs, and reference tools and other resources; hosted summits, conferences and stakeholder forums; developed, launched and delivered green and Indigenous accreditation initiatives; developed and implemented strategies to identify and address labour shortages; built the export readiness of tourism businesses; supported investment in the industry; facilitated the digitization of the industry; and undertook research to better understand issues facing the industry, all in an effort to grow the tourism sector sustainably and with a particular focus on the Indigenous tourism industry.

Recipients partnered with tourism organizations at the national, regional or local level to amplify the benefits of their projects.

Contribution agreements were executed in 2022‑23. Officials monitored project progress and processed claims, regularly communicating with recipients throughout 2023‑24 to ensure project activities were completed on-time and on budget, extending projects as necessary to maximize their impact.

September 4, 2013

March 29, 2024

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2016-17

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

Business Innovation

The Technology Demonstration Program (TDP) provides non-repayable contributions in support of large-scale research and development technology demonstration projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security sectors. Projects are led by an original equipment manufacturer or Tier 1 integrator (parts and resources suppliers), collaborating with SMEs(small to medium enterprises) and post-secondary institutions. Projects funded through this program are expected to be the basis for next-generation manufacturing and services in Canada. The program supports technological development in areas that have significant potential for broad-based and long-term economic benefits for Canada industrial research and pre-competitive development.

Bell Textron Canada Ltd. and partners developed highly innovative technologies related to next-generation vertical lift aircraft (helicopters) and novel unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

All projects have been completed, and the final review of results and processing of claims is on-going.

Consolidated into SIF July 5, 2017. See SIF program for results.

ISED maintains extensive engagements with industries, businesses and associations as well as with other federal departments and agencies, providing opportunities for feedback.

Officials communicated with recipients to ensure all projects closed-out successfully without issue. Claims were processed in collaboration with recipients.

January 2022

October 2022

Contribution

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2021‑22 & 2022‑23 & 2023‑24

Canadian businesses and industries are innovative and growing

The Strategic Activities Program (SAP) is a non-repayable contribution program. It has the objective of enabling the Department to support initiatives that are consistent with the Department's mandate and that are important in achieving departmental objectives and priorities.

The SAP is available to all sectors within ISED. Initiatives align with one or more departmental program activities to support the achievement of departmental Strategic Outcomes. These initiatives cover activities such as events, educational materials events, web platform, workshops, conferences and research studies that will contribute to ISED's mandate to help make Canadians more productive, innovative and competitive in the knowledge-based economy, thus improving the standard of living and quality of life in Canada.

Eligible recipients are legal entities, research and charitable institutions, and, in exceptional cases, provincial territorial and municipal agencies or corporations. The maximum contribution per project will normally be the lesser of $3 million and 100% of eligible project costs.

• Completed information security assessment of its infrastructure using risk assessment and mitigation leading to board review of CENGN's risk register and incident response plan.
• Procured security assurance software to support CENGN's cybersecurity governance. This resulted in identifying more than 20 policies and the prioritization of the critical gaps.
• Selected a partner to conduct monthly campaigns and deliver quarterly training sessions to staff and leadership to ensure consistent adoption of the best practices to reduce the cybersecurity risks of the organization.

• Increased efforts to engage QIC members to better understand their needs and priorities, expand membership, and build awareness of the Canadian quantum ecosystem. This resulted in an increase in membership, going from 10 to 43.
• Surveyed its members to identify interest in various topics for potential member-based working groups. Through this effort, 2 priority working groups were established: the SR&ED Review and Patent Box Consultation working group, and the Standardization Initiatives working group.
• QIC increased its presence on the international stage by participating in the foundation of the International Council of Quantum Industry Associations (ICQIA), which was established in early 2023. They also established relationships with 16 international stakeholders from the US, Australia, European (France, Switzerland, Netherlands, etc.) and Asian (Japan and Korea) countries, to discuss collective opportunities and develop joint initiatives to serve the broader global ecosystem with trusted partners in the field of quantum.
• QIC has taken steps to establish itself as an active leader in representing the interests of its members in standards and strategies. This was manifested by leading discussions at 6 forums, focused on the advancement of the quantum ecosystem in the country.
• QIC hosted an Annual General Meeting (AGM) which successfully gathered the majority of QIC members together virtually.

Center of Expertise in Next Generation Networks: ISED maintains its relationship with CENGN through ongoing dialogue and monitors its progress towards the achievement of expected results and compliance within the terms under the funding agreement of the Strategic Activities Program.

Quantum Industry Canada: ISED engages with QIC on a regular basis to discuss project progress. Activity and financial monitoring is conducted on a semi-annual basis. QIC submits biannual progress reports to ISED throughout the project period, as well as a final report upon project completion as per the terms of the funding agreement.

Total of female employees' share in the defence industry

Total of female employees' share in the Marine industry

Total of female employees' share in the Cybersecurity industry

Total of female employees' share of the Aerospace Manufacturing industry

Supported businesses that are women-led

320 businesses out of 797 supported

40.1%

Futurpreneur

Supported businesses that have Black founders

122 businesses out of 797 supported

15%

Futurpreneur

Supported businesses that have Indigenous founders

40 businesses out of 797 supported

5%

Futurpreneur

Percentage of participating SMEs owned or led by youth

6 out of 600 businesses (1%)

Administrative data

Percentage of participating SMEs owned or led by visible minorities

19 business out of 600 supported (3.1%)

Administrative data

Percentage of participating SMEs owned or led by Indigenous Canadians

3 businesses out of 600 supported (0.5%)

Administrative data

Number of women entrepreneurs who received loans through the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

398

Loan administrators project management

Number of support organizations engaged in the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) network

>3,100

WEKH project management

The statistic reflects the number of support organizations engaged as of March 31, 2024. This engagement includes:

• 547 women-centric business support organizations
• 590 organizations serving Francophone women entrepreneurs
• 296 organizations directly serving Indigenous women entrepreneurs