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Released: 17 June, 1999
Dhaliwal Reports Progress On Research And Development Tax Credit Action Plan
Ottawa,
June 17, 1999...The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of National Revenue and
M.P. (Vancouver South-Burnaby), today reported on the progress that Revenue
Canada has made in completing the steps called for in his Action Plan to improve
the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program.
Specifically, Mr. Dhaliwal
summarized several accomplishments since the last progress report delivered in
March 1999:
- A
consulting firm, Stitt Feld Handy Houston ADR of Ottawa and Toronto, has
been selected to develop a dispute resolution system for the SR&ED
program.
- Through
a joint industry/government initiative, Jean Claude Gavrel, a software
specialist with extensive industry experience, has been retained for SR&ED's
National Technology Sector Specialist (NTSS) program. Mr. Gavrel is an
Information Technology executive with more than 20 years of experience in
managing and implementing high technology product development and research
programs. Other specialists will be identified in the future to supplement
the Department's technology experience.
- The
SR&ED program is being reorganized to bring Headquarters and field
offices under one program head. Consultations with all regional offices have
been completed and a framework has been established to strengthen the focus
on the science and incentive aspects of the program.
Mr.
Dhaliwal announced his Action Plan in a document entitled Building Partnerships
in November 1998. The Action Plan responded to concerns and recommendations
received from the industry at a Vancouver conference in June 1998. A key
component of the Action Plan has been the establishment of a Steering Committee
composed of industry representatives. The Steering Committee meets frequently to
monitor progress of the Action Plan and to co-ordinate industry sector-specific
working committees.
"With the progress made
to date and with continued support from industry, Revenue Canada is on track to
have a totally revitalized SR&ED program by the end of this year," Mr.
Dhaliwal said.
The Minister added that the
SR&ED program now delivers about $1.4 billion of federal assistance to
Canadian business, and the number of participants nationwide has been growing at
about 13% each year. The Minister also reiterated the commitment made in the
last federal budget to invest more than $1.8 billion by 2003 to build on the
knowledge and innovation initiatives introduced in previous budgets.
The action plan and SR&ED
program information are available on Revenue Canada's Web site at: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/
Businesses interested in the SR&ED program should contact:
Norine Heselton
Director General
Tel.: (613) 946-3447
"
46T/99
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