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Connecting Canadians is the federal government's vision and plan to make Canada the most connected country in the world. In an increasingly competitive and knowledge-based global economy, Canada can benefit by becoming a world leader in the development and use of advanced information and communications technologies. This page will provide an overview of the various Canadian government agencies and their roles in making Canada the most connected country in the world. As part of its "Connecting Canadians" initiative, the Government of Canada has launched a comprehensive strategy to encourage the development of electronic commerce.

Domestic Focus

The Government of Canada has been actively involved in promoting commerce initiatives aimed at electronic . In September of 1998 the Canadian Government implemented "Connecting Canada" initiative by delivering on a policy framework of seven "firsts":

• a technology-neutral taxation regime 

• a policy on cryptography 

• legislation governing the protection of personal information 

• a legal framework for digital signatures and electronic documents 

• guidelines for consumer protection 

• Canadian electronic commerce standards "roadmap" 

• a policy framework for the Government of Canada's PKI. 
  

International Focus

Canada is also working in the international community to establish a global environment for business growth and consumer acceptance of electronic commerce. To this end, it demonstrated its commitment to global collaboration in October 1998, when the Government of Canada and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) hosted a major conference in Ottawa on international electronic commerce.

[Source: Connecting Canada]

Electronic Commerce in Canada

This site is the virtual focal point for information on Canada's Electronic Commerce Strategy, outlining the various initiatives which are helping make Canada a world leader in the adoption and use of electronic commerce. Working in close collaboration with the private sector, the federal government has concentrated on creating the most favorable environment possible in areas which are critical to the rapid development of e-commerce. Electronic commerce is an important part of Canada's Innovation Strategy.

On September 22, 1998, the Prime Minister announced Canada's Electronic Commerce Strategy, outlining initiatives designed to establish Canada as a world leader in the adoption and use of electronic commerce. Working in close collaboration with the private sector, the federal government has concentrated on creating the most favorable environment possible in areas which are critical to the rapid development of e-commerce. The Electronic Commerce Task Force is responsible for these initiatives.

Areas of Specific Concentration for e-Commerce

                          Cryptography Policy                  Taxation
                          Authentication                         Internet Governance
                          Privacy                                   Standards
                          Digital Signatures                     Government Use (PKI)
                          Regulatory Framework

Canada's Innovation Strategy

Canada's Innovation Strategy was launched in February 2002. Its goal is to move Canada to the front ranks of the world's most innovative countries.
Between May and November 2002, more than 10,000 Canadians gave their views and ideas on creating a culture of innovation and learning across Canada. The input from this process will go towards a national action plan to be developed following the National Summit. 

Essential content:

Publications 
Reports and submissions 
Stories about innovative Canadians 
Research and analysis on targets and innovation capacity 
Links to Innovation and Learning Programs and Services 

Strategies - Industry Canada

Strategis is produced by Industry Canada a department of the Federal government which employs over 4,000 people across Canada.  Strategis makes use of new technologies to offer interactive applications such as customizable benchmarking tools, cost calculators, and online business planning. Many of Industry Canada's services (such as filing an application for patent) can now be completed online through Strategis.

The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC)

ITAC is the voice of the Canadian information technology industry. Together with its partner organizations across the country, the association represents 1300 companies in the computing and telecommunications hardware, software, services and electronic content sectors. This network of companies accounts for more than 70% of the 500,000 jobs, $100 billion in revenue, $3.6 billion in R&D expenditure and $27 billion in exports that IT contributes annually to the Canadian economy. 

Canada offers the most favorable tax treatment for R&D among the G-7 countries by providing combined federal and provincial tax credits which may reduce the after-tax cost of $100 of R&D expenditures to as low as $44. Eligible costs in Canada include capital equipment, overhead, process R&D, salaries, and materials. The tax-based incentives permit firms to significantly reduce R&D costs through direct investment and sub-contracting in Canada. This may explain why Canada's R&D tax incentives have been successful. 

[Source: Conference Board of Canada]