On August 4th, ITAC submitted to the federal government its 2018 Pre-Budget submission aimed at Strengthening Canada’s Place in a Digital World. This submission outlines ITAC’s essential policy requests for the federal government and establishes the central themes for our advocacy efforts for the year ahead.
Budget 2017 was very good for Canada’s ICT industry. Most of ITAC’s 28 specific recommendations for the Innovation Agenda were directly addressed by the federal government either through the budget or other processes. However, there were several important areas we hope Budget 2018 will resolve.
This year’s submission includes 9 core recommendations, including:
- Update the Capital Cost Allowance program for telecommunications products – to better reflect current costs and encourage network expansion.
- Reform the SR&ED program to help small companies to scale, and better align the program with R&D cycles in the tech sector.
- Make significant investments in helping companies develop 5G network technology.
- Make the Cyber Security of the Canadian economy a frontline priority for the federal government, and invest in growing Canada’s cyber industry.
- Introduce a “smart lens” that considers smart city technologies for new infrastructure investments, including through the new Canada Infrastructure Bank.
- Invest in digital government approaches across the Government of Canada
- Work with industry to develop national standards for post-secondary programs in emerging technology fields like AI, cyber security and intelligent mobility systems.
- Create sustainable funding for digital health projects with the provinces, especially in telehealth.
ITAC 2018 Pre-Budget Submission Final
ITAC 2017 Pre-Budget Submission