www.canadaone.org : It should be noted that the task of intensifying research and development in Canada has led to a relative reduction of public expenditure in total expenditure on R & D - with more than 30% in the 1970's to nearly 20% in 2002, however, this fact reflects a general trend in the financing of R & D in OECD countries. Today, the share of public spending on R & D to GDP in Canada, 0.22% (despite the fact that in absolute numbers cost the federal government on R & D increased by 50% during the period from 1997 to 2002), whereas the average OECD countries is 0.24%.