CCI Statement on SR&ED Reforms Taking Effect

After years of sustained advocacy from Canadian innovators, recent changes to the Scientific Research and Experimental Development program will take effect on April 1, marking an important step toward a more effective approach to innovation policy in Canada. In response, Daniel Perry, Director of Federal Affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators, issued the following statement:

“What we’re seeing is a meaningful shift toward a system that actually works for scaling companies and signals a broader shift in how the government is thinking about innovation policy. I’d like to recognize the countless hours of advocacy and hard work Canadian innovators put in with us to advance these important changes at a policy level.

"There is a growing government recognition that programs like SR&ED need to support companies through the full lifecycle of growth, not just at the earliest stages, and that public investment needs to translate into Canadian economic outcomes. Policy frameworks need to reflect a global economy increasingly defined by intellectual property, data, and scale.

"This is a strong step forward, but implementation will matter, and there is more work ahead to ensure SR&ED drives Canadian ownership, IP retention, and global competitiveness. We will continue to work closely with Canadian innovators and government partners to monitor implementation and advance further policy reform that reflects the market realities of Canada’s innovation economy. I look forward to doing that work together.”

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Media Contact

Lisa Brody Hoffman
Director of Communications
‍lhoffman@canadianinnovators.org