The Challenge

		Table of Contents
		Science at Work for Canada
		The Strategy
		The Key Actions
		The Outcome
		Putting Science to Work for Canada
		The Challenge
		The Strength
		90 Years of Achievements

Since its creation in 1916, NRC has been Canada's national science and technology institution, working with governments, universities and industry, pushing the limits of science and technology to address persistent issues, and meeting critical priorities for Canada and Canadians.

Today, Canada must deal with vital issues that affect the quality of life of its citizens and the performance of its economy. To keep pace, NRC is once again stepping forward to play a key role in Canada's evolution as a global force in science, technology and innovation.

Canada's competitiveness

Our national economy is facing increasing challenges. Countries that used to be our markets are becoming our competitors; low productivity is slowing down many industrial sectors; and low private investment in research and development is limiting innovation. In addition, complex issues such as the convergence of science and technology, the protection of intellectual property, and the emergence of global supply chains are weighing down the growth of our SMEs, which are the backbone of the Canadian industrial structure. To remain economically relevant on the world stage, Canada needs to:

• foster a dynamic environment that boosts the growth of its companies,
• help Canadian SMEs take full advantage of globalization and become key players internationally, and
• support sectors that are major contributors to our national economy.

Socio-economic issues

Canada must address a series of pervasive national concerns to provide its citizens with a promising and sustainable future. Those concerns include:

• an aging population, which has made chronic disease the most common and costly health care problem,
• increased demand for energy, which calls for the development of energy efficient innovations, and
• continued environmental degradation, which has created a critical need for sustainable industrial technologies.

The innovation system

The innovation system comprises all organizations that support and conduct research, and transform new knowledge into products and services for domestic and international markets. Canada's innovation system is critical to this country's economy. Dealing rapidly and effectively with gaps and weaknesses in the system will stimulate the nation's capacity to generate and transform new knowledge into real economic value. Canada must:

• address a chronic shortage of highly skilled workers in all sectors of the economy,
• facilitate the convergence of technologies,
• foster coordination and collaboration to create critical mass and competitive advantage, and
• enhance our position as a global player by creating the right business environment at home and abroad.

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