LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATION 1 :

That the Government of Canada modify its capital cost allowance for machinery and equipment used in manufacturing and processing and equipment associated with information, energy and environmental technologies to a two-year write-off (i.e., 50% using the straight-line depreciation method) for a period of five years. This measure would be renewable for further five-year periods upon due diligence review by a parliamentary committee.

RECOMMENDATION 2 :

That the Government of Canada raise the capital cost allowance rate for rolling stock, locomotives and inter-modal equipment to 30% using the declining-balance depreciation method.

RECOMMENDATION 3 :

That the Government of Canada improve the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program to make it more accessible and relevant to Canadian businesses. The government should consider making the following changes:

1.       make the investment tax credits fully refundable;
   
   
2.       exclude investment tax credits from the calculation of the tax base;
   
   
3.       provide an allowance for international collaborative research and development; and
   
   
4.       expand the investment tax credits to cover the costs of patenting, prototyping, product testing, and other pre-commercialization activities.

RECOMMENDATION 4 :

That the Government of Canada review its policies and regulatory and fiscal measures to ensure that they make a greater contribution to the development of clean and renewable energy sources, foster research and development in this area and provide greater support to companies and provinces engaged in these activities.

RECOMMENDATION 5 :

That the Government of Canada, with the consent of the Council of Ministers of Education, place a high priority on establishing the agency responsible for the assessment and recognition of foreign credentials.

RECOMMENDATION 6 :

That the Government of Canada immediately expand improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to make it easier for employers across Canada to hire foreign workers when there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to fill the position. The Government of Canada should require that employers taking advantage of this program provide working conditions that are consistent with federal and/or provincial standards for the occupation and workplace.

RECOMMENDATION 7 :

That the Government of Canada provide tax credits and/or other measures to companies providing employer-financed training to their employees.

RECOMMENDATION 8 :

That the Government of Canada, complying with the constitutional division of powers, provide increased funding to programs that support postsecondary students and postdoctoral fellows conducting research in industry.

RECOMMENDATION 9 :

That the Government of Canada, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, complete and disclose to the public, in a timely manner, all important impact analyses of any free trade agreements with South Korea and the European Free Trade Association on specifically vulnerable industries and on employment.

RECOMMENDATION 10 :

That the Government of Canada conduct an internal review of Canadian anti-dumping, countervail and safeguard policies, practices and their application to ensure that Canada's trade remedy laws and practices remain current and effective. This review would also include comparisons with other World Trade Organization members such as the European Union and the United States.

RECOMMENDATION 11 :

That the Government of Canada immediately bring forth legislation to amend the Copyright Act; ratify the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT); amend related acts; and ensure appropriate enforcement resources are allocated to combat the scourge and considerable economic and competitive damage to Canada's manufacturing and services sectors, and to Canada's international reputation by the proliferation of counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property.

RECOMMENDATION 12 :

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provincial, territorial and foreign governments and the private sector, make implementation of a "smart regulation" initiative a priority. In the interests of efficiency, the government should build on the work of previous and current advisory groups in setting its goals for regulatory reform (e.g., the 2004 report of the External Advisory Committee on Smart Regulation, and the recommendations of the ongoing Advisory Committee on Paperwork Burden Reduction).

RECOMMENDATION 13 :

That the Government of Canada conclude negotiations related to the implementation of any regulations on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and that the process be expedited.

RECOMMENDATION 14 :

That the Government of Canada review the requirements of the User Fees Act and ensure that all federal departments are setting and meeting the performance standards and reporting to Parliament as required under the provisions of the Act.

RECOMMENDATION 15 :

That the Government of Canada announce its national gateway and trade corridor policy, and that it respond specifically to the concerns about infrastructure expressed by the Coalition for Secure and Trade-Efficient Borders in its policy.

RECOMMENDATION 16 :

That the Government of Canada ensure that sufficient, dedicated Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes be available for commercial traffic at important crossings, and be staffed to meet traffic demands during peak periods. Where infrastructure limits prohibit such an undertaking, the government should expand or alter the infrastructure to accommodate additional FAST lanes, and other border programs that facilitate trade.

RECOMMENDATION 17 :

That the Government of Canada define its financing strategy for the Windsor-Detroit crossing, including any potential tolls and toll roads associated with the crossing.

RECOMMENDATION 18 :

That the Government of Canada seriously consider the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Commercialization and report back to Parliament on its intentions with respect to implementing any or all of them, and/or on other policies it intends to implement to improve Canada's commercialization performance.

RECOMMENDATION 19 :

That the Government of Canada provide increased funding for organizations that bring together business, government and post-secondary education institutions to focus on the development and commercialization of new technologies.

RECOMMENDATION 20 :

That the Government of Canada identify, as soon as possible, a replacement program or alternative funding mechanism for Technology Partnerships Canada in order to support strategic R&D and demonstration projects by industry that are intended to produce economic, social and environmental benefits for Canadians.

RECOMMENDATION 21 :

That the Government of Canada conduct a review of the funding levels and operation of the Networks of Centres of Excellence program, and eliminate the automatic 14-year sunset clause that restricts the lifespan of an individual network.

RECOMMENDATION 22 :

That the Government of Canada continue to fund research infrastructure through the Canada Foundation for Innovation on a cost-sharing basis.