CSTA report calls for a new model for federal S&T to improve internal and external linkages

A new report is calling on the federal government to change the Financial Administration Act (FAA) and its interpretation by the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) as part of a series of changes designed to more effectively link federal science to other key players in a national system of science and innovation. The report by the Council of Science and Technology Advisors (CSTA) says current vertical structures that federal S&T must work within are at odds with the demands of issues of national concern.

Entitled Linkages in the National Innovation System (LINKS), the report also recommends the implementation of a new model of federal S&T by “creating and adopting a new system of accountability and resource management that recognizes and integrates vertical and horizontal responsibilities”. Such a system would emphasize flexible work arrangements, co-location of facilities and promote an environment in which “innovation can thrive, facilitating the health of all three S&T performing sectors (government, industry and academia)”.

CSTA deputy chair Dr Alan Winter outlined the LINKS report at the recent Federal S&T Forum (see page 5), describing the ingredients to successful linkages as leadership, alignment, management and relationship building. He also urged an examination of the FAA and its interpretation as a critical step towards eliminating barriers.

“FAA and TBS policies are not conducive to effective S&T linkages,” states the report. “In the immediate term, while the FAA is under review, the government can re-assess existing interpretations of the current legislation, polices, guidelines and practices. (This) may allow central agencies and departments to use the existing mechanisms and instruments in a more flexible and ‘collaboration friendly’ way.”

The LINKS report — commissioned in 2003 by the federal Cabinet — says the creation of a National Science Advisor (NSA) to the Prime Minister is a welcome development as the NSA can champion greater linkages across government and disciplines, among sectors and with the broader international S&T community. It calls for each science-based department and agency to designate a senior official with S&T responsibility to work with the NSA to address challenges to more effective linkages.

“Working with the NSA, they could form an excellent network for discussing horizontal government S&T; generating consensus on shared or complementary S&T priorities; identifying ways and means of cooperating on these issues; and exploring opportunities to share infrastructure, facilities, personnel and data,” it states.

The CSTA says the changes it is recommending are essential if Canada is to effective harness its S&T capacity, regardless of which sector it resides in.

“As the government grapples with the proliferation of S&T-based issues and the changing nature of the S&T enterprise, concerns have been raised about Canada’s capacity to address key areas of public concern,” states the report. “Questions have also been raised about Canada’s ability to commercialize new discoveries, to contribute to new improved competitiveness in the global economy and enhanced social benefits and quality of life at home.”

The report examines two levels of linkages: broader, strategic linkages required by a national science and innovation system and those on the level of collaborative initiatives, programs and projects.

It also addresses the need to use the tax system and other mechanisms to provide an environment that encourages industrial innovation. It notes that a one-stop-shopping approach to government support for industry would “help relieve the administrative burden” for smaller companies.

“A linked national science and innovation system is only as strong as its constituent parts. Linkages are most effective when each of the three key sectors ... are strong players in their own right,” it states.

FMI: www.csta-cest.ca.

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