Provincial distribution of federal expenditures on science and technology

2003/04

The federal government distributed $8 billion to the provinces and territories for spending on science and technology in 2003/04.

The actual final expenditures that were distributed to the provinces represent 91% of the total $8.8 billion federal expenditures for science and technology reported for 2003/04.

The remaining 9% or $800 million consisted of payments made abroad or not identified by region.

Federal spending on science and technology is expected to reach $9.1 billion in 2005/06.

Due to the heavy concentration of federal government departments in the National Capital Region, one-third (33%) of total actual federal science and technology spending, or about $2.6 billion was spent there, compared with 37% for 1997/98.

Of the remaining $5.3 billion of federal science and technology spending in 2003/04, 38% was paid out to performers in Ontario, 25% to Quebec, 11% to British Columbia, 9% to Alberta and 5% to Nova Scotia.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4212.

The service bulletin Science Statistics: Distribution of Federal Expenditures on Science and Technology by Province and Territories, 2003/04, Vol. 30, no. 1 (88-001-XIE, free) is now available online. From the Our products and services page under Browse our Internet products, choose Free and then Science and technology.

For more information, or to enquire about the methods, concepts of data quality of this release, contact Gisèle Bellefeuille (613-951-7113; gisele.bellefeuille@statcan.gc.ca) or Lloyd Lizotte (613-951-2188; lloyd.lizotte@statcan.gc.ca), Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division.