Audit and Evaluation Branch (AEB)
The Audit and Evaluation Branch provides the Deputy Minister, Senior Associate Deputy Minister, and departmental management with an independent capability to perform audits, evaluations, reviews and investigations that are consistent with departmental and central agency policies. The Branch responds to departmental priorities and assists departmental management to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of operations. The Branch provides independent, professional and high quality audit and evaluation services, founded on sound values and ethics, to support informed decision making and enhanced performance and accountability across the Department. In addition, the Director General also has responsibility for Internal Disclosure under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (PSDPA). The Branch also provides liaison with external organizations such as Treasury Board Secretariat, the Comptroller General of Canada and the Office of the Auditor General.

AEB is composed of the following directorates: Audit Directorate; Program Evaluation Directorate; Practice Management Directorate; and Special Reviews Directorate.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), a special operating agency within Industry Canada, is responsible for granting intellectual property (IP) rights and for the overall administration of the Patent Act, the Trade-marks Act, theIndustrial Design Act, theIntegrated Circuit Topography Act, and parts of the Copyright Act.

CIPO's role is to promote the effective use of IP information and the IP system to further innovation, invention and creativity for the benefit of Canadians and Canadian businesses.

CIPO is composed of the following key branches and units: Client Service Centre; Copyright Office; Corporate Strategies and Services; Enterprise Business Renewal (EBR); Executive Office (EO); Industrial Designs and Integrated Circuit Topographies; Information Branch; Patent Appeal Board (PAB); Patent Branch; Trade-marks Branch; Trade-marks Opposition Board (TMOB); and Copyright Office.

The federal agency responsible for registering copyrights in Canada is the Copyright Office, directed by the Registrar of Copyrights. The Office also maintains the official Register of Copyrights.

Enterprise Business Renewal (EBR)
The Enterprise Business Renewal initiative is a portfolio of projects that CIPO, as a whole, will implement to achieve better and more efficient processes and services for staff and clients. It involves transforming the way we do business in order to achieve CIPO's vision to become 'a leading Intellectual Property Office' and deliver on our Five-Year Strategic Plan.

The EBR Director manages the day to day activities of the program, reports to the CEO, and sits on the EBR Steering Committee, which provides leadership and executive oversight for the initiative.

Executive Office (EO)
The Executive Office (EO) team sets the corporate agenda and oversees all of CIPO's branches. EO is comprised of five main positions that provide structure and focus to CIPO's activities and priorities: The Commissioner of Patents, Registrar of Trade-marks and Chief Executive Officer; The Executive Director, Corporate Strategies and Services; The Director, Enterprise Business Renewal (EBR); The Senior Advisor; and The Corporate Secretary

Communications and Marketing Branch (CMB)
The Communications and Marketing Branch (CMB) ensures that the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada is properly applied to all departmental communications activities. It also manages communications planning, advisory services, advertising, media relations, marketing, public opinion research, publications, Internet presence, ministerial event participation and other key communications activities within the department.

CMB is the source of communications advice to departmental sectors and senior managers, and provides strategic and operational communications support to the Minister of Industry, the Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), and to the offices of the Deputy Minister and Senior Associate Deputy Minister.

Competition Bureau (CB)
Competition Bureau Canada is an independent law enforcement agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act. Its role is to promote and maintain fair competition so that Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality services. Headed by the Commissioner of Competition, the organization investigates anti-competitive practices and promotes compliance with the laws under its jurisdiction.

The Competition Bureau is composed of the following branches: Civil Matters Branch; Compliance and Operations Branch; Criminal Matters Branch; Economic Policy and Enforcement Branch; External Relations and Public Affairs Branch; Fair Business Practices Branch; Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Branch; and Mergers Branch.

Comptrollership and Administration Sector (CAS)
The Comptrollership and Administration Sector (CAS) is responsible for: stewardship over resources and programs, grants and contributions, infrastructure investments, real property and investments; overseeing the department's financial, investment management real estate, asset management, security, corporate planning and accountability reporting regimes; placing financial management, resource management, planning, capital assets planning and procurement on an enterprise basis; and for providing strategic advice on financial risks, opportunities and impacts, the affordability and integrity of program proposals, investments, risk management and stewardship.

CAS is composed of the following four Branches:

Resource Planning and Investments Branch (RPI)
The Resource Planning and Investments Branch is composed of the Resource Management Directorate, the Programs and Services Directorate and the Loan Insurance and Recoveries Directorate.

The Resource Management Directorate is a source of advice on the resource implications of project and program proposals and provides financial management advice with respect to planning, programming and budgeting decisions; it consolidates the departmental Annual Reference Level Update, Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates, controls budgets and coordinates the departments and the Industry Portfolio Treasury Board submissions.

The Loan Insurance and Recoveries Directorate is responsible for the administration and the monitoring of both active defaulted accounts and insolvent accounts under departmental programs. It also acts as the departmental centre of expertise on insolvency issues and problem account referrals for accounts experiencing business difficulties.

The Programs and Services Directorate is responsible for providing advice, guidance and program expertise to Industry Canada responsibility centres on the design of new or amended programs or services, to assist the Programs and Services Board carry out its mandate and to ensure departmental compliance with all governmental and departmental program related regulations and policies. It also acts as a focal point for the Environmental Assessment function throughout the Department and is responsible to ensure departmental compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Financial Operations and Systems Branch (FOS)
The Financial Operations and Systems Branch provides support, advice, guidance and services relating general and public accounting and expenditures management, payments services and support for Grants and Contributions (G&C), Operation and Maintenance (O&M), Travel, Removal, Hospitality, Membership and Conference Sponsorship; in addition to services related to Reconciliation, Signing Authorities, Pay Cheques Distribution and Public Accounts.

The Branch also provides project management support for departmental financial systems and for projects lead by the Sector, in addition to user support for Industry Canada's Grants and Contributions systems, for the Receiver General interfaces and for updates to the vendor and customer tables in the Integrated Financial Management System.

Procurement, Stewardship and Security Branch (PSS)
The Procurement, Stewardship and Security Branch is responsible for ensuring strong stewardship is applied across Industry Canada on a wide range of issues including contracts and materiel management, and the reviews all contracts for goods and services, services in the areas of photocopying, warehousing and shipping/receiving at headquarters, and functional guidance to regions in the above-noted fields. The Branch also serves as a secretariat to the departmental Contracts Advisory Committee.

The Branch is also responsible for the provision of accommodation services and direct support to the department for accommodation requirements in areas including design, construction, operations, parking, boardroom services, and office relocations, as well as providing a quality working environment; ensuring occupational health and safety and providing real property services support in the efficient usage of accommodation, including space management, environmental stewardship and custodian activities.

The Branch is also responsible for security services and the full implementation of the Government of Canada Security Policy. This encompasses all aspects of security including: administration and information; personnel screening and intelligence; physical security; emergency response; security awareness; communications security; and business continuity planning including functional guidance for all regional and district locations.

Corporate Planning and Governance Branch (CPG)
The Corporate Planning and Governance Branch is accountable for coordinating the full range of corporate planning, reporting and performance management initiatives in Industry Canada. The Branch is responsible for ensuring that Industry Canada is meeting external and internal management and reporting requirements, including the Management Accountability Framework, and coordinates the production of Main Estimates documents including the Report on Plan and Priorities and the Departmental Performance Report. The Branch also provides a coordination function for portfolio organizations with respect to public reporting.

Corporate and Portfolio Office (CPO)
The Corporate and Portfolio Office provides executive support to the offices of the Minister, the Deputy Minister, and the Senior Associate Deputy Minister, as well as secretariat support, as it relates to their broad Industry Portfolio coordination responsibilities. The CPO also provides secretariat support to the eleven Industry Portfolio departments, agencies, quasi-judicial bodies, and Crown corporations.

The CPO provides support to the Minister and corporate executives in the areas of: correspondence, corporate services (i.e. administration, finance, and human resources), parliamentary affairs, and portfolio management. The CPO groups responsible for providing support are: Correspondence and Records Management, Executive Services, Parliamentary Affairs and Briefings, and the Industry Portfolio Office.

The eleven organizations comprising the Industry Portfolio are: Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC); Canadian Space Agency (CSA); Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC); Copyright Board Canada (CB); Industry Canada (IC); National Research Council Canada (NRC); Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); Registry of the Competition Tribunal; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC); Standards Council of Canada (SCC); and Statistics Canada (SC).

As well, the following organizations are associated with the Industry Portfolio: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), an independent corporation established by the Government of Canada; Canada Research Chairs (CRC), which reports through SSHRC; Genome Canada, a not-for-profit independent organization; and Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), which reports through NSERC.

Human Resources Branch (HRB)
The Human Resources Branch provides strategic information, advice and operational services to the Department on corporate management and succession planning strategies, relationships with unions, demographic profiling, research and analysis, and indicators of the health of the organization. Operationally, it provides decentralized, comprehensive and timely advice, guidance and assistance to departmental management and employees on classification, staffing and resourcing, official languages, labour management, employment equity, training/learning and development, awards and recognition, career planning and, compensation and benefits.

Industry Sector (IS)
The mission of the Industry Sector is to help build a strong 21^st century Canadian economy by applying Industry Sector's value-added knowledge and expertise about Canadian industry to government decision-making and industrial development. Through its efforts, the Sector helps Canadian industry and businesses compete, grow and create jobs in the knowledge economy. It contributes to two of Industry Canada's strategic objectives – an Innovative Economy, and Competitive Industry and Sustainable Communities. As a centre of knowledge and analysis on industrial sectors in Canada, it focusses on enhancing the competitiveness of Canadian industry. The Sector maintains open and comprehensive channels of communication with key sectors, creating a capacity for the informed advocacy of industry interests in government decision-making, and conveying the government perspective badk to industry. The Sector provides analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing key sectors in the economy. In addition, the Sector develops policy options for possible government response to extraordinary challenges and opportunities, and delivers the subsequent programs and services.

The Sector comprises six branches: Aerospace, Defence and Marine Branch, Automotive and Transportation Industries Branch, Life Sciences Industries Branch, Resource Processing Industries Branch, Service Industries and Consumer Products Branch, and Policy and Sector Services Branch.

Mackenzie Gas Projects Office
The Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP) is a proposed $16.2-billion investment in Canada's North. The project would see construction of a 1220-kilometre pipeline and gas-gathering system, and the development of three "anchor" gas fields in the Northwest Territories. The objective is to connect otherwise stranded gas resources in Canada's northern frontier to markets in Alberta, the rest of Canada and North America.

Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA)
Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs uses research, analysis, information and coordination to help support a fair and efficient marketplace for consumers. It promotes consumer interests by: providing policy guidance to government on consumer protection and consumer issues in Canada; fostering a strong and independent consumer movement; and advancing the consumer interest with other departments, governments and the private sector.

The Office promotes partnerships for action on consumer issues among governments, industry and consumers and provides a window on government for consumers and groups that work in the consumer interest.

Regional Operations Sector (ROS)
The Regional Operations sector (ROS) serves the business community through the delivery of programs and services that contribute to the competitiveness of Canadian communities and industry, and the creation of fair and efficient marketplace practices. It advances regional economic interests within Industry Canada (IC) and connects the department to stakeholders and opinion leaders in communities across Canada. ROS also leads IC's response to official language minority communities.

ROS comprises: regional offices in the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Northern and Pacific Regions; FedNor; the Sector Strategies and Infrastructure Programs Branch (SSIP); the Regional Policy Coordination and Cohesion Branch (RPCC); and the Official Language Minority Communities Directorate (OLMC).

FedNorÀ
FedNor (http://fednor.ic.gc.ca) is a regional development organization in Ontario that promotes economic development, diversification and job creation and encourages sustainable, self-reliant communities in Northern and rural Ontario.

FedNor achieves this through the delivery of several strategic programs that promote the sustainable development of communities, encourage innovation and strengthen the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises. These programs include the Northern Ontario Development Program, the Community Futures Program and the Eastern Ontario Development Program.

Official Language Minority Communities Directorate (OLMC)
The OLMC Directorate coordinates departmental plans and activities across the country in support of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act; the economic development of official language minority communities; and integrates the department's efforts with the regional development agencies.

Regional Offices
IC has regional and district offices across Canada that facilitate awareness and access to IC programs and services as well as industry-related information. The regional offices support the department's mandate and presence across the five regions of Canada by contributing to the development of departmental policies, programs and services through the collection of regional intelligence and the provision of advice that reflects regional realities.

Regional offices play a coordinating function for all IC activities in the regions, including providing the regional dimensions of spectrum and are the key interface for local clients and stakeholders. Through effective regional presence (networks, partnerships, local delivery) regions integrate, inform and advance departmental and governmental priorities.

Regional Policy Corrdination and Cohesion Branch (RPCC)
RPCC is responsible for providing strategic advice and support to the ADM on regional matters; enhancing the contribution of regions in policy development; integrating the regional voice and regional intelligence into departmental-wide initiatives; and providing coordination and production of briefing materials in support of Ministers' and senior official' visits outside of the National Capital Region.

Sector Strategies and Infrastructure Programs Branch (SSIP)
SSIP is responsible for providing strategic support to the Minister responsible for FedNor and for infrastructure programs in Ontario. It includes the Infrastructure Operations Directorate and the FedNor Liaison and Infrastructure Programs Directorate. These directorates are responsible for the delivery of infrastructure programs in Ontario, including the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF), the Canada-Ontario Infrastucture Program (COIP), as well as certain projects under the Canada Strategic Infrastucture Fund (CSIF) and the recently-announced Ontario potable Water Program (OPWP). The FedNor Liaison and Infrastructure Programs Directorate is also responsible for providing policy support, advice and recommendations to the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), ROS, and to the Minister for FedNor in his capacity as minister responsible for regional economic development and for federal infrastructure programming in Ontario.

Science and Innovation Sector (SIS)
The Science and Innovation Sector lead the development and ongoing support of the government's science and technology policy agenda in partnership with key stakeholders. It provides stewardship of intramural and extramural science, business research and development, and higher education research and development. Included in these are cross-cutting activities to provide data and analysis for evidence-based policy development and to link the federal activities with other initiatives provincially and internationally. Through the Industrial Technologies Office, it provides funding through programming to support research development activities

The SIS is composed of the following branches: Industrial Technologies Office (ITO); Management Services; Policy Branch; Science, Technology and Innovation Council; Portfolio and Coordination Branch (PCB); and Industrial Technologies Office (ITO).

The Industrial Technologies Office is a special operating agency of Industry Canada that provides financial support for leading-edge research and development by Canadian industries. The agency delivers the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative and manages projects contracted through the Technology Partnerships Canada program, the Hydrogen Early Adopters (h2EA) program and the Program for Strategic Industrial Projects.

Management Services
The Strategic Planning and Corporate Services (SPCS) Directorate provides strategic planning of corporate and sector-level matters on human resources, financial and business planning for two sectors: Strategic Policy Sector (SPS) and Science and Innovation Sector (SIS), excluding ITO which has branch-level capacity to deliver on this mandate.

Policy Branch
The Policy Branch is responsible for formulating and advocating science and technology policies that advance Canada's economic and social interests, with particular attention to supporting business growth through innovation. Two Directorates support the work of the Branch: the S&T Policy Advice Directorate is responsible for general S&T policy development and supporting economic research; and the External Relations Directorate reviews developments and liaises with counterparts in both an international and federal-provincial context.

Science, Technology and Innovation Council
The Government of Canada supports the operations and activities of the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) through a Secretariat located in the Science and Innovation Sector of Industry Canada in Ottawa, Ontario.

The Secretariat is responsible for supporting both the general operations of the STIC and for project management. Secretariat staff contribute to the successful completion of the Council's work through the provision of policy analysis; synthesis of research evidence and analysis of gaps; expertise in the area of project management; and through working with the Council for effective communications.

Portfolio and Coordination Branch (PCB)
The PCB is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the government's Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy, and formulating and advocating science and technology policies related to federal intramural science and technology and higher education research and development. This includes supporting the whole-of-Government ADM Committee on S&T, interfacing with science agencies within the Industry Portfolio such as NSERC, SSHRC and NRC, managing the federal contributions to the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Genome Canada and other arms-length funding bodies, and working with the universities and colleges that make up the Canadian higher-education Research and Development (R&D) and innovation system. Two Directorates support the work: the Federal Science and Technology Policy Directorate; and the Higher-Education R&D Policy Directorate.

Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector (SBMS)
Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector provides programs, services and policy development to support and enhance the role and contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to Canada's economic well-being. It is also the federal government's lead on tourism policy. Through its marketplace service organizations, it delivers strong and effective regulatory regimes that support competitiveness of Canadian industry and ensure fair market practices. SBMS also provides oversight to Department-wide information management functions and delivers cost-effective management of the information technology services.

SBMS is composed of the following business Units:

Chief Informatics Office (CIO)
The Chief Informatics Officer acts as the principal departmental information technology (IT) advisor, and is accountable for the overall performance, effectiveness and efficiency of IT services, policies and resources for the Department.

CIO offers a wide range of IT products, services and support to Industry Canada employees, and oversees IT planning and governance for the Department. These services are delivered through four divisions: Client Services Division, Infrastructure Services Division, Applications Services Division, and Planning and Customer Relations Division.

Corporations Canada (CC)
Corporations Canada administers the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), the Canada Cooperatives Act, the Canada Corporations Act and several other statutes through the examination of applications for federal incorporation, continuance, amalgamation and dissolution of corporations; the management of a database on federal corporations; and the collection, assessment and verification of information made available to the public. It also issues exemptions from certain requirements of the CBCA and monitors and enforces compliances with various statutory requirements. Corporations Canada is also responsible for the issuance of official documents under the Public Officers' Act.

Information Management Branch (IMB)
IMB services direct and support effective and efficient management of information in an organization, from planning and systems development to disposal and/or long-term preservation. More specifically, this program provides departmental oversight and operational services related to record keeping, public access to departmental information, departmental access to commercial information, and strategic direction related to elements of management practice and accountability.

IMB is responsible for providing services to the department in four main areas: Corporate Integrated Records Services; Information and Privacy Rights Administration; Library and Knowledge Centre; Web Information Management Services (WIMS); and Investment Review and Strategic Planning Branch.

Investment Review Division
The Investment Review Division manages the foreign investment notification and review process under the Investment Canada Act. This Act gives the Minister of Industry the responsibility for encouraging and facilitating investment and assuring that foreign investment is of net benefit to Canada.

Strategic Planning and Management Services Directorate (SPMS)
The SPMS Directorate provides strategic, business, financial and human resources planning, as well as management services to the Small Business and Marketplace Services Sector. SPMS is also responsible for providing administrative support services to the Assistant Deputy Minister.

Measurement Canada (MC)
Measurement Canada, a Special Operating Agency of Industry Canada, sets the rules of the marketplace with respect to trade measurement, and ensures these rules are effectively implemented and respected. The agency administers and enforces the Weights and Measures Act and, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act.

Measurement Canada's programs and services include evaluating and approving prototype measuring devices (e.g. scales, gasoline pumps, electricity and natural gas meters), inspecting and verifying measuring devices before they are used in the marketplace and periodically thereafter, calibrating and certifying physical measurement standards used to verify the accuracy of measuring devices, and investigating business and consumer complaints of suspected inaccurate measurement. Measurement Canada also authorizes private sector organizations, who meet program standards based on ISO requirements, to inspect and verify measuring devices and calibrate and certify measurement standards.

Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada (OSB)
The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy ensures that bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings are administered in a fair and orderly manner. To this end, the Office is responsible for: supervising the administration of estates in bankruptcy, commercial re-organizations, consumer proposals and receiverships; maintaining a publicly accessible record of bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings; recording and investigating complaints from creditors, debtors and members of the general public regarding possible wrongdoing by someone involved in the insolvency process; licensing of private sector trustees to administer estates and the designation of administrators of consumer proposals; and setting and enforcing professional standards for the administration of estates.

Small Business Policy Branch (SBPB)
The Small Business Policy Branch is responsible for maintaining a strategic overview of Canadian small business across regions and industrial sectors, including an evergreen view on marketplace conditions affecting small business, and for providing advice on government policies and programs designed to help small business grow and succeed or having unintended consequences for small business. Activities include conducting research, carrying out policy analysis and advice, and meeting the information needs of small business, including simplified access to government services. The Branch is spearheading activities related to the reduction of paperwork burden within the Department and throughout the federal government. The Branch supports small business through initiatives such as Canada Business, a multi-channel government information service for start-up entrepreneurs and small business; BizPaL, an online service that provides entrepreneurs with tailored information on the permits and licences they need to start or operate their business; and Student Connections, a program that hires post-secondary students to provide e-commerce and Internet training to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as Internet training to seniors.

The Branch is responsible for the administration and strategic direction of the Canada Small Business Financing Program, which facilitates access to loans for establishing and expanding small business in Canada. The Branch also provides support for the Minister of Industry in respect of his responsibilities for the Business Development Bank of Canada, manages the interdepartmental SME Financing Data Initiative, and develops and manages a number of small business information websites. To achieve its mandate, the Branch works in partnership with other government departments and agencies, key private sector organizations, academic and research institutes, community-based groups and other organizations.

The Branch supports the Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism and the Minister of Industry in respect of governance responsibilities for the Canadian Tourism Commission, acts as the federal tourism policy lead, engages on issues that impact tourism, and provides advice on policy priorities, manages the federal/provincial/ territorial tourism committees and influences and tracks international multilateral tourism policy formulation.

Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications Sector (SITT)
The objective of the Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications Sector is to contribute to economic growth and innovation in Canada through the development and use of information and communications technologies (ICTs), for the economic, social, cultural and civic benefit of all Canadians.

The Sector uses its policy and regulatory rule-making powers, and marketplace and industry sectoral development services to: ensure that Canadians have access to a world-class telecommunications and information infrastructure and the skills necessary to participate in the networked economy; promote the international competitiveness of Canadian information technologies and telecommunications industries; aid in making Canada a world leader in the adoption and use of e-commerce; promote the strategic use of information technologies by all sectors of the Canadian economy; and ensure effective and efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum.

SITT is composed of the following Branches: Electronic Commerce Branch (ECOM); Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Branch; Information Highway Applications Branch (IHAB); Policy, Communications and Management Services Branch (PCMS); and Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch (DGRB).

Spectrum Engineering Branch (DGSE)
In addition, the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) reports to the Assistant Deputy Minister of SITT. CRC, an agency of Industry Canada, is the primary federal laboratory for research and development in advanced telecommunications. CRC's research provides a technical basis for the development of regulations and standards for public policy, and it supports other federal departments' operations in information and communications technologies. CRC also has a strong tradition of technology transfer to industry. More than 100 companies can be traced to CRC, including 60 spin-off companies. It operates an Innovation Centre to provide high-technology start-ups with access to its technologies, research expertise and unique laboratories. CRC has four research branches: Broadband Network Technologies Branch; Broadcast Technology Branch; Satellite Communications and Radio Propagation Branch; and Terrestrial Wireless Systems Branch

Strategic Policy Sector (SPS)
The Strategic Policy Sector is responsible for the development of research and analysis to support the development of policies, particularly those within Industry Canada's mandate, aimed at growing economic prosperity in Canada. The SPS contributes to policy discussions; manages the departmental policy, the speech from the throne and budget processes; and coordinates briefings for Cabinet. The SPS develops marketplace framework policies, legislation and rules in the areas of intellectual property (patents, copyright, trade-marks), business incorporation, bankruptcy and insolvency, foreign investment, and telecommunications, Internet and use of the radio spectrum at both the domestic and international levels (in particular the International Telecommunication Union, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). It leads on advice and federal negotiations in respect of the Agreement on Internal Trade. The SPS is the focal point in the Department for cross-cutting international trade negotiations (e.g., World Trade Organization, Korea Free Trade Agreement, Canada–European Union Trade Agreement). It coordinates Industry Canada's cross-cutting international and federal-provincial-territorial relations. It is also responsible for the horizontal coordination and advocacy activities related to the federal government's wealth creation policy framework to enable Canadian business development, efficient markets and Canadian competitiveness.

The SPS is composed of the following branches: International and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate; Marketplace Framework Policy Branch (MFPB); Micro-Economic Policy Analysis Branch (MEPA); Strategic Policy Branch (SP); Security & Prosperity Partnership; and Telecommunications Policy Branch

International and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate
The International and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate acts as Industry Canada's central point of contact for other government departments and outside clients, and prepares advice to the Minister and Deputy Minister on broad international and intergovernmental issues that cut across the responsibilities of the department's sectors.

Marketplace Framework Policy Branch (MFPB)
The Marketplace Framework Policy Branch has the primary responsibility at Industry Canada for the development and coordination of marketplace framework policies in the areas of corporate and insolvency law policy and intellectual property (IP) policy (including patent law and copyright law). The Branch plays an important role in support of departmental and government priorities by ensuring that Canada's IP and corporate and insolvency regimes create the conditions for entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and competitiveness, while promoting the public interest. These objectives will be achieved by assessing the need for legislative, regulatory and policy improvement; monitoring domestic and international developments; undertaking research and consulting with stakeholders; facilitating the legislative process and working to enhance public and stakeholder understanding; and by participating in international discussions and negotiations in its area of responsibility.

Micro-Economic Policy Analysis Branch (MEPA)
The Micro-Economic Policy Analysis Branch performs micro-economic analysis and is responsible for providing the fundamental economic research and analysis underpinning the policy development process of the Department. It provides leadership in the provision of strategic information on micro-economic issues. The Branch chairs and operates the secretariat for the Department's Economic Research Advisory Committee (ERAC). ERAC acts as the senior advisory committee for the Department on medium- to long-term economic research matters. It performs co-ordination, dissemination, challenge and peer review functions on the research carried out or commissioned across the various research units in the Department. In addition to organizing a number of conferences, workshops, seminars, distinguished-speaker series and consultations with economic policy think tanks, the academic community and other levels of government, the Branch runs a research publications program. This serves to convey information and facilitate an informed public debate on analytical issues of micro-economic policy challenges.

Strategic Policy Branch (SP)
The Strategic Policy Branch supports the Minister, senior management and the Department by providing analysis and advice on micro-economic policy framework issues. It is responsible for strategic policy leadership, within Industry Canada and interdepartmentally, with respect to the micro-economic policy agenda. The Branch leads the Department's policy priority planning, including transition and Speech from the Throne and Budget work. Support is also provided through the management of the Department's internal policy-making apparatus as well as Cabinet briefings. The Branch also leads Industry Canada-wide initiatives of a horizontal nature, such as skills, immigration, standards, environment and corporate social responsibility, and provides strategic policy advice on initiatives championed by other departments that relate to Industry Canada's mandate. In addition, Strategic Policy Branch has the mandated lead for developing and monitoring implementation of the Department's tri-annual Sustainable Development Strategy.

Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) Secretariat
The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) provides a flexible means for ongoing dialogue, priority-setting, collaboration and action on issues affecting the security, prosperity and quality of life of North Americans. The Secretariat leads and coordinates Canada's participation in developing and implementing bilateral and trilateral initiatives to improve Canada's competitiveness, prosperity and quality of life.

The Minister of Industry is responsible for leading Canada's engagement in the SPP. This program supports the Minister in this role by leading, in cooperation with other federal departments and agencies, the identification of strategic Canadian bilateral and trilateral priorities with respect to prosperity and security within North America; discussions with the United States and Mexico; and, communications and reporting. This program also supports the Minister in his role as lead on the Prosperity Agenda focused on improving competitiveness and quality of life.

Telecommunications Policy Branch
The Telecommunications Policy Branch formulates policies, recommendations, regulations and legislation governing and promoting the development and efficient operation and competitiveness of the telecommunications facilities and services required by Canadians for national and international communications, including the present and future use of the radio frequency spectrum and use of geostationary orbits.

The Branch develops policy proposals related to the structure of the telecommunications services industry and to the development and use of Canadian national and international telecommunications facilities and networks, including radio licensing policies and technical standards. As well, it assumes policy development, coordination and representational functions in multilateral and bilateral telecommunications negotiations; develops business and regulatory policy proposals affecting the telecommunications industry, new media and the Internet, including regulatory reform proposals; and develops analysis and recommendations respecting the possible review of regulatory decisions by the Governor in Council.

The Telecommunications Policy Branch is responsible for the exercise of the government's responsibilities under the Telecommunications Act and for those powers under the Radiocommunication Act that relate to the allocation of radio spectrum and pertain to the allocation of the radio frequency spectrum and related international regulatory matters.

Business and Regulatory Analysis
The directorate is responsible for ensuring that Canada's telecommunications policy and regulatory framework reflects changing marketplace and technological developments, in order to meet needs of both consumers and industry. Key objectives include promoting competition and innovation, and ensuring universal and affordable access to telecommunications services. The directorate provides analysis of Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) telecommunications proceedings, and responds to requirements for action by the Governor in Council. It also provides advice on broadcasting and convergence issues.

Industry Framework Policy
The directorate develops and maintains framework policies for telecommunications, in regard to trade negotiations, General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) implementation, foreign ownership/investment, consumer-related policy issues, submarine cables, rights-of-way, network interconnection, numbering, electronic numbering, lawful access and public procurement of telecommunication services. It provides telecommunications market intelligence and policy analysis.

International Telecommunications Policy and Coordination
The directorate analyzes issues to support development and coordination of international Canadian telecommunications policy and strategies. It negotiates multilateral and bilateral government-to-government treaty-binding agreements for Canada, pertaining in particular to the International Telecommunication Union. The directorate promotes and defends Canadian interests and objectives in international negotiations and discussions pertaining to telecommunications and spectrum policy. It also coordinates and develops Canadian policies on Internet governance, and ensures that Canada's views and interests are put forward in the development of global and domestic Internet policy, particularly those associated with the Internet's Domain Name System.

Spectrum and Radio Services Policy
The directorate develops spectrum allocation, utilization service and general licensing policies to support a full range of radiocommunication services used by the government, Canadian industry and the public. Its mandate includes developing policies on services and radio facilities, such as advanced mobile telephones, satellites, microwave systems, public safety communications, subscriber wireless access and consumer products.