Overview of ISED and portfolio bodies

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

On this page

• Departmental Divisions
• Overview of ISED Budget
• Overview of Portfolio Bodies

Departmental Divisions^{Footnote 1}

The units within the Department that help carry out the activities of ISED are:

• Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector
• Industry Sector
• Innovation Canada
• Science and Research Sector
• Small Business and Marketplace Services
• Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector
• Digital Transformation Service Sector
• Corporate Management Sector
• Strategic Communications and Marketing Sector
• Canadian Intellectual Property Office
• Competition Bureau
• Audit and Evaluation Branch
• Legal Services

Departmental Divisions Chart

Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector (SIPS)

Mandate

SIPS plays a key role in implementing the Government's microeconomic policy agenda and in supporting departmental alignment. It develops and supports the Department's horizontal policy and strategy by ensuring robust marketplace frameworks and by deepening international and regional relations and promoting trade. It also coordinates for the federal budget and is responsible for telecommunications and digital policy. Also within SIPS are the regional offices, which gather intelligence in the regions and act as the Portfolio's public face with regional stakeholders.

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Industry Sector (IS)

Mandate

IS is the centre for the provision of advice on the Government's industrial policy, based on economic and technological expertise and industry outreach. In this capacity, the sector is responsible for the following industries: automotive, manufacturing, digital technologies, biomanufacturing, life sciences, tourism, clean technologies, aerospace, space, marine, and defence. The sector also supports the Government's delivery of industry-focused programs, and supports the advancement of a skills agenda aligned with industry needs. IS undertakes investment attraction work in collaboration with other departments and the Invest in Canada Hub, including the Government's industry promotion efforts. The sector is also responsible for the administration of the Investment Canada Act and the management of the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy.

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Innovation Canada Sector (ICS)

Mandate

ICS is a sector formed in 2017 that serves as a collaborative platform to make it easier and faster for Canada's innovators and entrepreneurs to find and access government programs and services. Through ICS, ISED supports various industry sectors across the Canadian economy by providing funding and expert advice, and driving new collaborations. As part of this role, ICS's flagship programs and services are designed to help businesses innovate, create jobs, and grow Canada's economy. These include: the Innovation Superclusters Initiative; the Strategic Innovation Fund; Innovative Solutions Canada; the Canada Digital Adoption Program; ExploreIP (Canada's intellectual property marketplace); BizPal; Business Benefits Finder; and the Accelerated Growth Service.

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Science and Research Sector (SRS)

Mandate

SRS leads the development and implementation of the Government of Canada's science and technology policy agenda to optimize federal investments in science and research, foster an innovative economy, and improve the wealth and well-being of Canadians. The sector provides advice on external research, relationships with post-secondary institutions, granting agency policy, programs, and operations; and also advises on and manages contribution agreements with a variety of external organizations. The sector also provides advice on a range of science policy issues, including the broader intramural science enterprise and international science co-operation, and leads the development of strategies to enhance the translation of Canada's research leadership in key disruptive technology areas into commercial and societal benefits for the country (e.g. quantum, AI, genomics).

Small Business and Marketplace Services (SBMS)

Mandate

SBMS is responsible for small business and entrepreneurship policy and programs. It undertakes financing and venture capital policy development and coordination, oversight of the Business Development Bank of Canada, and delivery of the Canada Small Business Financing Program. The sector is active on consumer policy coordination, protecting and promoting the interests of consumers. Measurement Canada, Corporations Canada, and the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada are all part of SBMS. These organizations play strong regulatory management roles in the areas of trade measurement, insolvency, and federal incorporation, supporting the integrity of the marketplace and providing a competitive environment that contributes to Canada's innovation performance.

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector (STS)

Mandate

STS is responsible for regulating telecommunications equipment, extending and enhancing broadband service in rural and remote regions of Canada, and working with other organizations on the safety and security of existing and future telecommunications infrastructure. The sector's objective is to maximize the economic and social benefits that Canadians derive from the use of the radio frequency spectrum. The sector works across the Department, with other federal government departments, at the international level and with our stakeholders to support a competitive wireless industry, strong investment, cyber-resilience, and economic growth.

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Digital Transformation Service Sector (DTSS)

Mandate

DTSS leads the Department's digital service channels, in close collaboration with different areas of the Department, to accelerate digital services for businesses and innovators. DTSS is building new capabilities in digital transformation supported by a backbone of a modern information technology and information management infrastructure and is placing special emphasis on the power of disruptive technologies that can reduce the administrative burden for Canadians and public servants as we deliver digital services and programs.

Corporate Management Sector (CMS)

Mandate

CMS is responsible for the comptrollership of the Department's finances, the management of human resources, the stewardship of facilities and assets, and the provision of physical and personnel security services. CMS also oversees the Department's corporate planning and accountability reporting regimes and provides strategic advice on performance measurement, risk management, the affordability of program proposals, and the integrity of grants and contributions. In addition, CMS leads the Department's efforts on the Return to the Workplace and the Future of Work.

Strategic Communications and Marketing Sector (SCMS)

Mandate

SCMS connects the Department and its Ministers with the Canadian public and helps support communications for the Portfolio. SCMS reaches national-, regional-, local-, and commercial-specific audiences through our digital channels, including web and social media, television, radio, and print. The sector actively seeks to break through a competitive environment with proactive, targeted media, marketing, and online strategies. The team of about 175 professionals is responsible for media relations, ministerial communications and events, marketing and advertising, social media, consultations, issues management, and employee communications.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)

Mandate

CIPO, a special operating agency of the Department, is responsible for administering Canada's system of intellectual property (IP) rights: patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and geographical indications. CIPO is also an international searching authority and international preliminary examining authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization. CIPO's mandate is to deliver high quality and timely IP products and services to clients, and to increase awareness, knowledge, and effective use of IP by Canadians. This mandate, along with the directions outlined in CIPO's business strategy, contributes to the strategic outcomes of the organization.

Competition Bureau (CB)

Mandate

CB, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace. The Bureau is responsible for:

• administering and enforcing the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act, and the Precious Metals Marking Act;
• advocating for competition at all levels of government; and
• promoting corporate compliance and consumer awareness through outreach.

Competition leads to lower prices, higher quality goods and services, and higher levels of innovation and business efficiency, and is thus a key driver of broad-based economic growth. The Bureau protects and promotes competition in the marketplace, saving Canadians an estimated $2.8B per year through actions that stop anti-competitive conduct and deceptive marketing. The Bureau continues to set a course to tackle the emerging challenges of the digital economy, and ensure that competition can underpin a strong post-pandemic recovery.

Audit and Evaluation Branch (AEB)

Mandate

AEB provides independent, professional, and quality audit, evaluation, and practice management services founded on sound values and ethics to support informed decision-making and enhanced performance and accountability. It also fulfills the Department's obligations under the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's policies, directives, and standards on internal audit and evaluations, as well as conformance with the Institute of Internal Auditors international standards.

Legal Services (LS)

Mandate

ISED's LS is a departmental legal services unit that is a part of the Business and Regulatory Law Portfolio of the Department of Justice. LS strives to deliver timely and effective professional legal services to all sectors of ISED, as well as to other government departments and agencies of the ISED Portfolio, according to the service agreements and standards set by the Department of Justice.

Overview of ISED budget^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}

Departmental budget

ISED's resources support 3 Core Responsibilities in the Departmental Results Framework (DRF)

• Operating Vote – for expenses incurred in the course of delivering program outputs, such as personnel costs, office supplies, repair and maintenance, consulting fees, operating leases, etc.
• Capital Vote – for the acquisition or development of capital assets (when capital expenditures exceed $5M).
• Grants and Contributions Vote - for transfers of money (as a grant or a contribution) to an individual, an organization, or another government.
• Respendable Revenue - inflow of cash or receivables from the sale of goods or the rendering of services.
• Employee Benefit Plan - for expenses, such as superannuation, Canada Pension Plan, and severance pay, that are not incurred directly by ISED.

Note: Departmental budget for 2021–2022 includes $162.1M for FedNor, which became a stand-alone organization, starting August 12, 2021, per the Order in Council 2021-0844.

Overview of portfolio bodies^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}

• Overview of portfolio bodies (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry)
• Overview of portfolio bodies (Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development)

Overview of portfolio bodies (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry)

Overview of portfolio organizations

The ISED Portfolio is made up of the following organizations:

Departmental corporations, agencies, and councils have a relationship to the Ministers which is operationally similar to government departments with some important exceptions. For example, the granting councils (NSERC and SSHRC) make research funding decisions based on the outcomes of independent peer review processes.

• Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
• Statistics Canada (STC)
• National Research Council Canada (NRC)
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) 

Crown corporations are arms-length from the Government and are governed by a board of directors appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Ministers of ISED.

• Destination Canada (DC)
• Standards Council of Canada (SCC)

Quasi-judicial tribunals are arms-length decision-making bodies, established through legislation, which operate independently from government.

• Copyright Board Canada (CB)
• Competition Tribunal (CT)

Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

Lisa Campbell
President

• Budget: $404M (2021–2022 Main Estimates (A-Base: $260M))
• FTEs: 723 (2020–2021 Departmental Plan)
• Headquarters: St-Hubert, QC

Mandate

The CSA promotes the peaceful use and development of space, advances our knowledge of space through science, and ensures that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians. It co-operates with the space and space-related agencies of other countries in the peaceful use and development of space.

The CSA's major activities include:

• assisting the Minister to coordinate the space policies and programs of the Government;
• planning, directing, managing, and implementing programs and projects relating to scientific or industrial space research and development and the application of space technology;
• promoting the transfer and diffusion of space technology to and throughout Canadian industry; and
• encouraging commercial exploitation of space capabilities, technology, facilities and systems.

Governance

The President is appointed by the Governor in Council and is responsible for the Agency's day-to-day operations, reporting directly to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. Lisa Campbell was appointed to her current position in September 2020. Canada's activities in space are guided by the 2019 Space Strategy, Exploration, Imagination, Innovation, which outlines the importance of space as a strategic national asset that is used to deliver broad socio-economic and scientific benefits to improve the lives of Canadians.

Statistics Canada (STC)

Anil Arora
Chief Statistician

• Budget: $922M (2021–2022 Main Estimates)
• FTEs: 6,589 nationally
• 8 regional offices; 35 research data centres

Mandate

STC has 2 main objectives: (1) to provide statistical information and analysis about Canada's economic and social trends; and (2) to promote sound statistical standards and practices, both domestically and internationally.

STC is solely responsible for carrying out the censuses of population and agriculture every 5 years, along with hundreds of collections and statistical releases as part of regular operations.

Governance

The Chief Statistician advises on statistical programs of departments and agencies, supervises the administration of the Statistics Act, and is responsible for STC's day-to-day operations and staff. The Statistics Act is the primary legislation that provides STC its authority, and was amended in 2017 to reinforce STC independence to ensure the ongoing impartiality and objectivity of the national statistical system. The Canadian Statistics Advisory Council is mandated to advise the responsible Minister and Chief Statistician on the overall quality of the national statistical system. It will also release an annual report on the state of the national statistical system.

National Research Council of Canada (NRC)

Iain Stewart
President

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Dr. Douglas Muzyka
Chairperson, NRC Council

• Budget: $1.8B (Snapshot as of May 2021)
• FTEs: 4,262 (Snapshot as of May 2021)
• Headquarters: Ottawa, ON

Mandate

As Canada's largest federal research and development organization, the NRC supports business innovation, provides science-based support for public policy mandates, and advances scientific and technical knowledge. With a presence in every province, the NRC has the national reach and broad scientific and technical expertise to undertake large-scale, mission-oriented research and development programs. In addition, the NRC's responsibilities include conducting metrology activities that underpin Canada's industrial competitiveness and trade, providing effective stewardship for the National Building Code, and operating Canada's astronomical observatories and Canada's National Science Library. The NRC combines its strong national foundation with international linkages to help Canada grow in productivity and remain globally competitive.

Governance

The President, members of the NRC Council, and the NRC Council Chairperson are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the responsible ministers. The responsible ministers provide strategic direction to the NRC President, who is responsible for the NRC's day-to-day operations. The NRC Council reviews strategic directions, plays a challenge function, and provides advice to the President. Members bring an independent perspective based upon knowledge and expertise in fields of importance to the NRC's mandate.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Dr. Alejandro Adem
President

• Budget: $1.380B (2021–2022 Departmental Plan)
• FTEs: 465
• Headquarters: Ottawa, ON

Mandate

NSERC promotes and supports post-secondary research and innovation in the natural sciences and engineering by funding researchers, students, and research projects, and through development partnerships with industry.

Governance

The President and members of NSERC's Council are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the responsible Minister. The Council is chaired by a Vice-President elected from among the Council members (subject to Governor in Council approval). The President is the chief executive officer and is responsible for NSERC's day-to-day operations. Funding decisions are approved by the President on the basis of recommendations made by peer review committees.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

Dr. Ted Hewitt
President

• Budget: $1,005M (2021–2022 Main Estimates)
• FTEs: 304
• Headquarters: Ottawa, ON

Mandate

SSHRC promotes and supports post-secondary research in the social sciences and humanities by funding researchers, students, and research projects, and through partnerships with partners from all sectors.

Governance

The President and members of SSHRC's governing council are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the responsible Minister. The Council is chaired by a Vice-President elected from among the Council members (subject to Governor in Council approval). The President is the chief executive officer and is responsible for SSHRC's day-to-day operations. Funding decisions are approved by the President on the basis of recommendations made by peer review committees.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Isabelle Hudon
President and Chief Executive Officer

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Mike Pedersen
Chairperson

• FTEs: 2,500
• Headquarters: Montreal, QC
• 2020–2021 Annual Operating Budget: $674M

Mandate

The BDC supports Canadian entrepreneurship with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, serving over 72,000 entrepreneurs across Canada. Mandated to be a complementary lender in the market, BDC's loans and investments are intended to supplement or complete services available from commercial financial institutions. 

Governance

The Chairperson, the Board of Directors, and the President and Chief Executive Officer are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the responsible Minister. The President is responsible for BDC's day-to-day operations.

Destination Canada (DC)

Marsha Walden
President and Chief Executive Officer
Effective August 24, 2020

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The Honourable Liza Frulla
Chairperson
Effective August 6, 2021

• Budget: $96M (2021–2022 Main Estimates)
• FTEs: 117 (in 2021)
• Headquarters: Vancouver, BC

Mandate

DC works to sustain a vibrant and profitable Canadian tourism industry. It does so by conducting research on tourism trends and market opportunities, and marketing Canada as a tourism destination in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia in order to grow tourism export revenues in markets where the Canada brand plays a leadership role. DC's regional structure allows it to adjust its marketing programs to reflect changing market conditions and to capitalize on new marketing opportunities as they arise.

Governance

The President, Chairperson, and directors of the Board of DC are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the responsible Minister. The President is responsible for DC's day-to-day operations. The Canadian Tourism Commission Act identifies the Deputy Minister of ISED as ex-officio director.

Standards Council of Canada (SCC)

Chantal Guay
Chief Executive Officer

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Colin Clark
Acting Chair

• Budget: $18M (2020–2021 Main Estimates)
• FTEs: 140
• Headquarters: Ottawa, ON

Mandate

SCC promotes efficient and effective voluntary standardization in Canada, where standardization is not expressly provided for by law, in order to advance the national economy; support sustainable development; benefit the health, safety, and welfare of workers and the public; assist and protect consumers; facilitate domestic and international trade; and further international co-operation in relation to standardization.

Governance

The Chair, Council Members, and Chief Executive Officer are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister. The Council has oversight for the operations of SCC. The Chief Executive Officer has responsibility for SCC's day-to-day operations.

Copyright Board of Canada

The Honourable Luc Martineau
Chair

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Nathalie Théberge
Vice-Chair and Chief Executive Officer

• Budget: $4.2M (2020–2021 Main Estimates)
• FTEs: 26
• Headquarters: Ottawa, ON

Mandate

The Copyright Board is an independent administrative tribunal and economic regulator established under the Copyright Act with a mandate to intervene in 3 areas, namely approving tariffs for content whose rights are managed by collective societies, the granting of licences for the use of content for which the right owners cannot be found, and arbitration in the event a collective society and users cannot agree on royalties.

Decisions by the Board have general application and must be fair, equitable, and timely; be based on solid legal and economic principles; and consider evolving business models and technologies as well as the public interest.

Governance

Members of the Board, including the Chair and Vice-Chair, are appointed by the Governor in Council on recommendation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

The Chair oversees the judicial mandate of the Board and must be a judge, either sitting or retired, of a superior court. The Vice-Chair and Chief Executive Officer is the only full-time appointee and is responsible for the supervision and direction of the Board and its staff.

Competition Tribunal (CT)

Honourable Denis Gascon
Chairman of the Tribunal

• Headquarters: Ottawa, ON
• Note: Budget combined with that of other Tribunals under the Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada

Mandate

The CT is a quasi-judicial tribunal, arms-length from government that was created in 1986 by the Competition Tribunal Act. Its mandate is to hear applications and issue orders related to the civil reviewable matters set out in Competition Act Parts VII.1, which deals with deceptive marketing practices, and VIII, which deals with restrictive trade practices. It also hears references filed pursuant to section 124.2 of the Competition Act.

Matters before the Tribunal are usually of national interest and large in scope and complexity, and can involve significant financial stakes and directly impact on the competitiveness of private enterprise and industry. All proceedings before the Tribunal are dealt with as informally and expeditiously as the circumstances and considerations of fairness permit.

Governance

The CT consists of not more than 6 members from among the judges of the Federal Court, including the Chairperson, appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, and not more than 8 lay members appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the responsible Minister.

The Tribunal is supported by a Secretariat which provides all administrative, financial, and human resources support required for the proper conduct of the CT's business. The Secretariat is also the repository for the filing of applications and documents, as well as issuing documents and orders for all cases brought before the Tribunal. The Secretariat is part of the Administrative Tribunal Support Service of Canada, a portfolio of the Minister of Justice.

Overview of portfolio bodies (Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development)

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Isabelle Hudon
President and Chief Executive Officer

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• FTEs: 2,500
• Headquarters: Montreal, QC
• 2020–2021 Annual Operating Budget: $674M

Overview

The BDC supports Canadian entrepreneurship with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, serving over 72,000 entrepreneurs across Canada. Mandated to be a complementary lender in the market, BDC's loans and investments are intended to supplement or complete services available from commercial financial institutions. 

Mandate

The BDC is an independent, arm's-length financial Crown corporation, wholly owned by the Government of Canada, that supports Canadian entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. The Bank has 3 strategic objectives:

• Increase access and reach
• Drive SME competitiveness
• Provide an excellent client experience

BDC plays a counter-cyclical and complimentary role in the commercial financing market, increasing its financing in periods of economic weakness or turbulence and to address market gaps.

Governance

The Chairperson, the Board of Directors, and the President and Chief Executive Officer are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the responsible Minister. The President is responsible for BDC's day-to-day operations.

• The Bank is governed by the Business Development Bank of Canada Act, passed in 1995. The Bank is overseen by an independent Board of Directors which is accountable for overseeing business activities and strategic direction.
• The Bank's corporate plan, capital and operating budgets, are approved by the responsible Minister and Treasury Board annually. The Minister may also provide broad direction to the BDC Board or direct the BDC to administer specific programs, subject to the Act.

Roles and Responsibilities

BDC is the only bank dedicated exclusively to entrepreneurs. As of March 2021, BDC had a portfolio of approximately $36B, with over 72,000 clients operating in all industries. The BDC adapts its offerings to respond to the needs of entrepreneurs in the economy, providing financing, capital, and advisory services for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Financing

• BDC provides flexible term lending for new projects or working capital solutions. BDC has $31.8 billion in loan commitments, which represents the majority of its portfolio. The Bank also increases the appetite of other lenders by co-lending or syndicating loans with financial institutions and providing specialized asset-backed securities for finance and leasing companies.

Capital

• To support high-growth, innovative and IP-intensive companies, BDC invests in venture capital (VC), both directly into companies and indirectly into VC funds, and commits capital through its Growth and Transition Capital group to support established companies looking to finance growth projects or business transitions.

Advisory Services

• Advisory solutions are offered through a Canada-wide network of over 500 business consultants to help businesses overcome business challenges or scale up, including improving productivity and exporting. BDC also provides tailored growth support to high-growth firms.

Targeted Initiatives

BDC provides enhanced support to underserved entrepreneurs, such as Indigenous, Black, women, and young entrepreneurs. The Bank is also delivering on federal initiatives to enhance access to VC, patient capital to cleantech, COVID support measures, and digital adoption.