Statistics Canada has released a report detailing the recovery of industrial research and development spending in 2012. Businesses in Canada spent $15.5 billion on industrial R&D in 2012, advancing slightly (0.9%) from 2011. However, industrial R&D spending remains below its most recent peak of $16.8 billion attained in 2007.
The recovery of industrial R&D spending after 3 years of decline was driven by growth in the manufacturing sector, which was up by $228 million (or 3.1%) to $7.6 billion from 2012 levels. Respondents indicated that 61% of total industrial R&D spending will be concentrated in the wages and salaries for R&D personnel, a level last seen in 2006 (60%).
