Companies who want to have some influence on the federal government's research and development policy should act fast to
submit a survey circulated by the Toronto Region Research Alliance (TRRA), as the deadline for submissions is January 28. The findings will help the TRRA form a submission to an expert panel reviewing government R&D programs.
According to Pat Draper, President and CEO of the TRRA, "
In October 2010, the federal government established an independent expert panel to review the government's programs in support of research and development. The panel has requested
input from interested parties and the Toronto Region Research Alliance plans to respond. As part of our process, we are seeking feedback
from companies in the Toronto Region about their engagement in R&D
activities, their awareness and use of federal government programs to
support R&D, and barriers to greater innovation."
Currently, the federal government claims to spend over $7 billion per year in support of R&D through companies and educational institutions. Minister of State for Science and technology Gary Goodyear said, in announcing the panel, that the process would help focus the effectiveness of the spending to create jobs and grow businesses.
The TRRA will make its submission to the panel in February. The questionnaire, which takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, is available
here.
Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Pat Draper, TRRA