Canadian Science Policy and the Public Research Organisations in the 20th Century

Abstract

Across OECD nations, public/private partnerships have recently become popular mechanisms in advancing science and technology policies. But Canada has a long tradition of such partnerships. The federal government was involved in the promotion of relations between public research organisations (PROs) and the private sector as early as the start of the twentieth century. In this paper, we trace the evolution of policies promoting the economic utility of public science in Canada. We then present the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRCIRAP) and Industry Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program as contrasting cases of federal steering. By developing an understanding of these flagship instruments, we seek insight into the wider implications of state intervention in relations between PROs and Canadian industry.