An Overview of Statistical Indicators of Regional Innovation in Canada: A Provincial Comparison

The results of this paper, An Overview of Statistical Indicators of Regional Innovation in Canada: A Provincial Comparison, contribute to the analysis of regional differences in science and technology activity in Canada, as part of the Information System for Science and Technology Project at Statistics Canada. This working paper presents estimates of R&D expenditure and personnel for universities, for the federal government, for industry and for provincial research organizations, as well as providing general provincial statistics. The objective of the Project is to develop useful indicators of activity and a framework to tie them together into a coherent picture of science and technology in Canada. The indicators can provide the picture at the national level or at provincial or sub-provincial levels to reflect regional differences. A previously published working paper, R&D Tax Treatment in Canada: A Provincial Comparison, uses a method developed by the Conference Board of Canada to compare the tax incentives to do R&D in each of the provinces. Six out of ten provinces have their own incentive programmes and tax rates which differ from province to province. The B-Index analysis of the Conference Board provides a means of comparing tax incentives and of providing an indicator.