Senior officials and sectors

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace.


Ministers

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne

Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
The Honourable Mary Ng

Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The Honourable Gudie Hutchings

Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada

Minister of Small Business
The Honourable Rechie Valdez

Senior officials

Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Simon Kennedy
Biography

Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Francis Bilodeau
Biography

Corporate Secretary, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Ana Maia


Audit and Evaluation Branch
Director General
Kimberley Accardi

Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trademarks and Chief Executive Officer
Konstantinos Georgaras

Chief Information Office
Chief Information Officer
Daniel Boulet

Communications Research Centre Canada
President
Marc Levesque

Competition Bureau Canada
Commissioner of Competition
Matthew Boswell

Corporate Management Sector
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer
Douglas McConnachie

Corporations Canada
Director General
Hantz Prosper

Digital Transformation Service Sector
Assistant Deputy Minister
Shaifa Kanji

Industry Sector
A/Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
Charles Vincent

Industry Sector
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister
Mary Gregory

Innovation Canada
Assistant Deputy Minister
Andrea Johnston

Legal Services
Senior General Counsel and Executive Director
Alain Vauclair

Measurement Canada
President
Anne-Marie Monteith

Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy
Superintendent of Bankruptcy
Elisabeth Lang

Office of the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer
Chief
Ray Edwards

Ombudsman for Mental Health and Employee Well-Being
Acting Ombud
Eve Nadeau

Science and Research Sector
Assistant Deputy Minister
Nipun Vats

Small Business, Tourism and Marketplace Services
Assistant Deputy Minister
Etienne-René Massie

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
Éric Dagenais

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister
Ray Edwards

Strategic Communications and Marketing Sector
Assistant Deputy Minister
Kendal Hembroff

Strategic Innovation Fund
Assistant Deputy Minister
Stephanie Tanton

Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister
Mark Schaan

Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister
Kasi McMicking

Office of Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Readiness
Assistant Deputy Minister
Ritu Banerjee


Regional Offices

Atlantic Region
Regional Director General
Surita Maddox

Ontario Region
Regional Director General
Tanzeel Merchant

Prairie and Northern Region
Regional Director General
Sandra Larson

Pacific Region
Regional Director General
Christian Hansen

Quebec Region
Regional Director General
Lissette Bonilla

Portfolio organizations

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
President and CEO
Isabelle Hudon

Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
President
Lisa Campbell

Copyright Board Canada (CB)
Vice-Chairman and CEO
Nathalie Théberge

Destination Canada (DC) (formerly known as the Canadian Tourism Commission)
President and CEO
Marsha Walden

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
James Meddings
President
101-139 Northfield Drive West, Room 101
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 5A6
Telephone: 613-960-7093

National Research Council Canada (NRC)
President
Iain Stewart

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
President
Dr. Alejandro Adem

Secretariat to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal
Director
Greg Gallo

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
President
Dr. Ted Hewitt

Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
Chief Executive Officer
Chantal Guay

Statistics Canada (StatCan)
Chief Statistician of Canada
Anil Arora

As well, the following organizations are associated with the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Portfolio:

Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Dr. Roseann O'Reilly Runte
President and CEO
230 Queen Street, Suite 450
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5E4
Telephone: 613-947-7260

Council of Canadian Academies (CCA)
Dr. Eric M. Meslin
President and CEO
180 Elgin Street, Suite 1401
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2K3
Telephone: 613-567-5000

Genome Canada
Rob Annan
President and CEO
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 2100
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P1
Telephone: 613-751-4460

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation (PETF)
Pascale Fournier
President and CEO
1980 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 600
Montreal, Quebec H3H 1E8
Telephone: 514-938-0001


Sectors and branches

Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector

Sector head: ADM Mark Schaan

Key functions

The Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector plays a key role in implementing the government's Innovation and Skills Plan and in supporting departmental realignment. It develops and supports the department's horizontal policy and strategy by ensuring robust marketplace frameworks and by deepening external relations.

Its branches

Strategy, Results and Research Branch: Responsible for economic research and analysis, policy integration, innovation policy, delivery and results, Statistics Canada portfolio relationship, GBA+, and regulatory coordination.

External and Trade Policy Branch: Responsible for establishing a formal structure to support federal-provincial-territorial policy and portfolio analysis and coordination; international and Canada–U.S. relations and trade policy; Canadian Free Trade Agreement; portfolio analysis and coordination; and regional liaison.

Telecom and Internet Policy Branch: Responsible for the Telecommunications Act; broadband, wireless and Internet policy; CRTC telecom oversight; and international telecom agreements and treaty binding organizations.

Marketplace Framework Policy Branch: Responsible for corporate governance, competition, bankruptcy and insolvency, intellectual property, Standards Council of Canada relationship, privacy (including PIPEDA), and anti-spam (including CASL).

Strategic Planning and Corporate Services: Responsible for business and corporate planning, finance, administration, and human resources planning.

FedNor (Aime Dimatteo, Director General): Responsible for administering the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) and other key programs to meet the needs of Northern Ontario communities and businesses by supporting projects that promote economic development, growth, competitiveness and innovation.

Regional Directors General:

  • Christian Hansen (Pacific)
  • Sandra Larson (Prairie and Northern Region)
  • Tanzeel Merchant (Ontario)
  • Lissette Bonilla (Quebec)
  • Surita Maddox (Atlantic)

Innovation Canada

Sector head: ADM Andrea Johnston

Key functions

From providing funding and expert advice to driving new collaborations, Innovation Canada's flagship programs and services are designed to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada's economy. Through programs like the Global Innovation Clusters, the Strategic Innovation Fund, Innovative Solutions Canada, the Clean Growth Hub and the Accelerated Growth Service, Innovation Canada reduces the administrative burden for all companies.

Its branches

Global Innovation Clusters: Responsible for competition, selection and follow-on agreements and for oversight of funding for the Global Innovation Clusters through private sector–led industrial and research consortia.

Strategic Innovation Fund: Responsible for the new consolidated innovation program focused on high-value opportunities in key sectors. The program has four streams, each with its own precise objective:

  • Stream 1: Encourage R&D that will accelerate technology transfer and commercialization of innovative products, processes and services.
  • Stream 2: Facilitate the growth and expansion of firms in Canada.
  • Stream 3: Attract and retain large scale investments to Canada.
  • Stream 4: Advance industrial research, development and technology demonstration through collaboration between academia, non-profit organizations and the private sector.

Innovative Solutions Canada: Supports Canadian SMEs in designing and developing novel solutions to challenges faced by Government of Canada departments, leading to the development of early-stage and late-stage prototypes and agile follow-on procurement opportunities.

Performance and Partnerships: Responsible for Innovation Canada's partnerships, outreach, governance, data strategy and analytics, evaluation, and strategic planning. Supports the delivery of the Strategic Innovation Fund.

Innovator's Experience Branch: Responsible for the one-stop shop for Canadian businesses looking for programs and services that can help them grow from start up to scale up to global brand. This includes the Accelerated Growth Service, innovation advisors across the country, innovation.canada.ca and BizPaL.

Clean Growth Hub Office: Responsible for portfolio and interdepartmental coordination around programs that support the clean technology sector.

Management Services: Oversees integrated planning for human and financial resources and provides financial, administrative and management services.


Science and Research Sector

Sector head: ADM Nipun Vats

Key functions

The Science and Research Sector (SRS) leads the development and implementation of the Government of Canada's science and technology (S&T) policy agenda in order to foster an innovative economy, improve the wealth and well-being of Canadians, and optimize federal investment in S&T.

The sector provides advice on external research, including relationships with the post-secondary education sector, advising on granting council policy, programs and operations, as well as advising on and managing contribution agreements with a variety of external organizations, such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Genome Canada, Mitacs and Sustainable Development Technology Canada.

The sector also provides advice on a wide range of science policy issues: including the broader intramural science enterprise and international science cooperation and relations: as well as specific policy issues, such as environmental policy and clean technology policy.

Its branches

Science Policy: Leads on intramural science; renewal of federal science infrastructure; specific policy areas, including environmental policy and Arctic science; international and intergovernmental relations; liaison with the National Research Council of Canada; trend analysis on science and on research and development expenditures and activities; and usage of science evidence in government decision and policy-making.

Science Programs and Partnerships: Responsible for relations with post-secondary research communities, including both universities and colleges; advising on the work of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation; advising on policies and funding related to third-party research organizations; managing contribution agreements; engaging stakeholders in the Canadian higher education R&D and innovation/commercialization system; and developing new approaches to digital research infrastructure.

Infrastructure Fund and Corporate Services: Responsible for the implementation of the $2-billion Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (PSI-SIF) program that supports infrastructure projects at universities and colleges across Canada. This branch also provides corporate and financial planning and reporting support to the sector as a whole.

Clean Technology and Clean Growth: Responsible for clean technology and clean growth policy, including the department's support for the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. It oversees a contribution agreement with Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the implementation of the Clean Technology Data Strategy.


Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector

Sector head: A/Senior ADM Éric Dagenais

Key functions

Spectrum is a vital national resource managed by the Government of Canada for citizens and businesses.

The Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector (STS) is responsible for researching and regulating spectrum, regulating telecommunications equipment, and working with other organizations on the safety and security of existing and future telecommunications infrastructure.

The sector's general policy objective is to maximize the economic and social benefits that Canadians derive from the use of the radio-frequency spectrum.

The sector works across Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, with other federal government departments, at the international level, and with our stakeholders to support a competitive wireless industry, strong investment, cyber-resilience and the Innovation and Skills Plan.

STS is structured to be a focused, nimble regulator backed by scientific research and expertise. We aim to be agile, responsive and efficient in support of a competitive, secure wireless marketplace and a thriving, innovative digital economy.

Its branches

Communications Research Centre Canada: Solves spectrum challenges to maximize the economic and social benefits from radio frequency spectrum and supports other government departments in resolving critical wireless communications issues. It is the federal government's primary laboratory for research and development in advanced telecommunications.

Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch: Develops technical standards, regulations and spectrum band plans; authorizes spectrum for satellite services; advances Canada's spectrum interests and objectives in international fora; regulates telecommunications terminal and wireless equipment; and works to improve the security of the national telecommunications and information infrastructure against cyberattack.

Spectrum Licensing Policy Branch: Develops spectrum licensing policies; conducts spectrum auctions; works with auction consultants on the development of sophisticated software and bidder training; monitors international developments; and reviews spectrum regulatory best practices and metrics to ensure ongoing effort and improvement.

Spectrum Management Operations Branch: Develops spectrum management regulatory and operational policies and procedures; authorizes and manages radio spectrum (excluding satellite services); investigates radio-communications interference across the country; and updates legislative and regulatory instruments as required.

Governance, Policy Coordination and Planning Branch): Sector administration and finance support; planning and reporting; and sector information and technology management.


Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector

Sector head: ADM Charles Vincent

Key functions

The Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector is responsible for small business, including women's, youth and Indigenous entrepreneurship; and social innovation. The sector also undertakes financing and capital policy development; coordination and program delivery of Canada Small Business Financing, including venture and angel capital policy; and oversight of the Venture Capital Action Plan and the new Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative that was announced in Budget 2017.

The sector is active on consumer policy coordination, protecting and promoting the interests of consumers. Measurement Canada, Corporations Canada and the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada play strong regulatory management roles within the sector.

Its branches

Small Business Branch: Responsible for horizontal policy coordination on small business–related matters; advancing inclusive entrepreneurship to increase the economic participation of under-represented groups such as women, Indigenous Canadians and others; developing policies and programs to foster vibrant start-up and scale-up ecosystems; implementing financing policies and programs such as the new venture capital programming and the Canada Small Business Financing Program; oversight of the Business Development Bank of Canada's relationship with the government; coordinating ISED's role in advancing social innovation and social finance for Canada; and coordinating consumer protection policies through the Office of Consumer Affairs.

Corporations Canada: Responsible for federal incorporation and post-incorporation services; regulations and policies that allow small, medium and large corporations, entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations to perform corporate transactions easily and efficiently; and the Office of the Registrar for the Great Seal of Canada.

Measurement Canada: Ensures consumer confidence in the buying and selling of measured goods; develops the laws related to measurement accuracy; approves and inspects measuring devices, such as scales, gas pumps, electricity meters and natural gas meters; investigates complaints of suspected inaccurate measurement; and monitors trade measurement accuracy in the marketplace and takes enforcement action where necessary.

Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada: Regulates and oversees the insolvency system in Canada; and contributes to an efficient marketplace by maintaining the integrity of the national insolvency system, thereby strengthening the confidence of investors, creditors and the public in the Canadian economy.


Digital Transformation Service Sector

Sector head: Assistant Deputy Minister Shaifa Kanji

Key functions

The Digital Transformation Service Sector (DTSS) leads ISED's digital service channels, in close collaboration with different areas of the department, to accelerate digital services for businesses and innovators.

DTSS is building new capabilities in digital transformation supported by the backbone of a modern IT/IM infrastructure.

DTSS is placing special emphasis on the power of disruptive technologies that can reduce the administrative burden for Canadians and public servants as we deliver digital services and programs.

Its branches

Chief Information Office: Continues to oversee all of our information management and information technology programs and operations, with a particular focus on leveraging innovative and digital tools and solutions.

The Digital Government and Digital Programming Branch and the Connecting Canadians Branch have joined together. The team continues to develop and deliver digital programming to increase high-speed broadband coverage, improve access and affordability, and enhance digital skills and literacy to keep Canadians at the leading edge of the digital economy.

Digital Design Branch: Supports the department's efforts to foster innovative digital experiences, connecting clients' needs and journeys to how and what ISED delivers. Responsible for the new mission of the Innovation Lab.

Agile Programs: Supports the sector's development of an agile methodology and framework based on best practices. Also responsible for developing agile governance for digital solutions and procurement.

Strategic Planning and Corporate Services: Directs DTSS strategic policy and planning frameworks and provides strategic advice to DTSS executives on human resources, finance, administration and resource planning.


Industry Sector

Sector head: A/Assistant Deputy Minister Mary Gregory

Key functions

Industry Sector is the centre for the provision of advice on the government's industrial policy: based on economic and technological expertise that exists in the sector: through industry outreach. In this capacity, Industry Sector undertakes analysis to ensure an ongoing understanding of issues that impact firm competitiveness. The sector also supports the government's delivery of industry-focused programs, including the Strategic Innovation Fund.

The sector also supports the Economic Strategy Tables in health and biosciences, agri-food, clean resources, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and digital industries. This sustained engagement will strengthen the government's ability to support the private sector in Canada. Also, in light of the importance of skills to business growth, a dedicated labour analysis function is being established to support the work of the tables.

Industry Sector undertakes investment attraction work in collaboration with other departments and the Invest in Canada Hub. This includes supporting the federal government's industry promotion efforts, specifically its work to access new markets, grow firms, promote innovation and attract foreign investment to Canada. The sector is also responsible for the administration of the Investment Canada Act (ICA).

Industry Sector is also responsible for the management of the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, the intent of which is to maximize the benefits to Canada of major defence procurements.

Its branches

Industrial and Technological Benefits Branch: Responsible for business intelligence and analysis to inform program decisions, as well as for managing the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy.

Aerospace, Defence and Marine Branch: Responsible for space and aerospace policy development and for business intelligence and analysis.

Automotive, Transportation and Digital Technologies Branch: Responsible for business intelligence and analysis; and industry promotion efforts to access new markets and attract foreign investment to Canada (e.g. through the Automotive Investment Hub), with a focus on digital technologies that now underpin the entire economy.

Manufacturing and Life Sciences Branch): Responsible for business intelligence and analysis, Canada–U.S. analysis and NAFTA renegotiation preparation work prioritized for manufacturing sector analysis.

Economic Strategy Tables and Skills Secretariat: Responsible for industry outreach and skills analysis, including ongoing collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada.

Investment Review Division: Administers the Investment Canada Act and advises on investment policy and investment coordination.