Measuring Environment Canada's research and development performance (2014): chapter 2

Introduction

Science is the foundation of Environment Canada’s work. Research and development (R&D) supports many of the Department’s science-based functions, including its legislative obligations, commitment to be a world class regulator, enforcement activities, weather services and policy development. R&D is an integral component of the Department’s science; as such, regular assessment is important.

The objective of this report is to provide an updated assessment of Environment Canada’s R&D performance. The report establishes baseline measures of R&D performance according to the principles of Environment Canada’s Science Strategy 2014-2019: Relevance, Transparency, Responsiveness, Excellence and Collaboration. Where possible, the report compares current and past performance, as assessed in the 2009 report Measuring Environment Canada’s Research and Development Performance.

In order to clearly distinguish R&D from other scientific work, this report draws on Statistics Canada definitions. Science and technology (S&T) includes two elements: R&D and related scientific activities (RSA). R&D activities focus on the production of new scientific knowledge. RSA, such as monitoring, focus on applying existing scientific knowledge.