Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to provide you with information on the progress that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has made since receiving the Auditor General's report concerning intellectual property. We at DFO recognize that intellectual property developed by and for the department can contribute to Canadian innovation, which can provide both social and economic benefits to Canadians. We thank the Auditor General and her staff for their work.
First, let me say that a very large portion of the science and technology performed by the department is used to support its regulatory mandate. As such, it contributes indirectly to economic prosperity in the maritime, fisheries, and aquaculture sectors. In fact, a large portion of the departmental scientific output has traditionally focused on management of the fisheries and of the oceans rather than commercialization per se.
That being said, DFO fully agreed with and welcomed the Auditor General's recommendations on how to better manage intellectual property. We responded with a specific action plan to address those recommendations, all six of which were accepted by us. The plan is premised on developing a comprehensive departmental intellectual property policy and creating an office dedicated to its management.
I want to emphasize that while the department did not have a department-wide intellectual property policy, as identified by the Auditor General, it did manage its intellectual property assets. Many of its inventions and innovations were successfully commercialized for the benefit of Canadian industry and Canadians. Several continue to perform extremely well in the marketplace.
I'm glad to report that since the release of the Office of the Auditor General's results, two department-wide policies on intellectual property have been developed. The first is a policy for the management of intellectual property. The second is for the payment of incentive awards to DFO employees who contribute to the successful commercialization of intellectual property.
Both of these policies were referenced in our action plan. They demonstrate our progress to date on enhancing our IP management. Clearly, next steps will be required in training and education of our people and in establishing appropriate guidelines.
An intellectual property office will be set up over the next few months to address the issues of education, training, and implementation. It will serve as the centre of expertise for the department's intellectual property management. It will guide and support implementation of both policies within existing resources.
The IP management policy provides specific measures and procedures to address the problems identified in the Auditor General's report, starting with the consolidation of existing IP management expertise as a foundation for the IP office. The IP office will launch a department-wide awareness campaign on the IP policy. It will include information bulletins, face-to-face discussions, workshops, and training.
We will ensure that staff and management understand that reporting intellectual property is an obligation and a first step to good IP management. In the process, a department-wide network will be set up to assist the IP office in ensuring that the IP management principles and the procedures in the policy are followed.
Beyond delivering on our departmental commitments to the Auditor General, the new DFO IP policy also provides a solid framework to manage activities involving intellectual property by people and organizations other than DFO employees, including that which is produced in the context of partnerships with the private sector, by DFO's many volunteers, by visiting scientists, and so on.
I strongly believe that the identification of intellectual assets is the first step to rigorous IP management. Therefore, the new policy underscores the obligation of staff to report on all intellectual property they create.
To conclude, I want to assure you that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has taken the recommendations of the Auditor General very seriously. We have already implemented several steps towards enhanced accountability and improved management of our intellectual assets for the benefit of Canadians.
As the department's chief accounting officer, I am committed to the new policies and will be asking senior departmental staff to report to me on compliance.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.