Provincial Government Activities in the Natural Sciences

Detailed information for these statistical estimates

These statistical estimates cover scientific and technological (S&T) activities of the provincial government sector, except for provincial research organizations (PRO) which are surveyed separately (see record number 4208).

Data release - The information is included in record number 4210.

• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

These statistical estimates cover scientific and technological (S&T) activities of the provincial government sector, except for provincial research organizations (PRO) which are surveyed separately (see record number 4208). The data are the aggregates of provincial government science surveys that are collected by the participating provinces and processed by Statistics Canada under contract. Québec conducts its own survey of research and development (R&D) activities and shares the data with Statistics Canada.

The main S&T activity is research and development. In addition, there are a number of activities closely related to R&D; these are termed related scientific activities (RSA). Although not provided by the provincial government of Quebec, spending on RSA are available for all other participating provinces.

This information is intended primarily to be used by S&T policy makers, both federal and provincial, largely as a basis for interprovincial and intersectoral comparisons. The surveys which generate these statistical estimates also provide input for the development of a national aggregate Research and Development (R&D) series, which are used to populate the Canadian components of international questionnaires for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Statistical activity

Science and technology (S&T) and the information society are changing the way we live, learn and work. The concepts are closely intertwined: science generates new understanding of the way the world works, technology applies it to develop innovative products and services and the information society is one of the results of the innovations.

People are looking to Statistics Canada to measure and explain the social and economic impacts of these changes.

The purpose of this Program is to develop useful indicators of S&T activity in Canada based on a framework that ties them together in a coherent picture.

Subjects

• Research and development
• Science and technology

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population consists of provincial government departments, ministries and/or agencies of the participating provinces.