Book excerpt: A broad overview of Canadian high-tech activities that suggests insights concerning the direction and scope of such industries as well as public policy. Includes a study of Canada's competitiveness in the manufacturing sector, and the use and production of new technology; an examination of the characteristics of the information technology sector and the likely patterns of development and economic prospects, the role of multi-national corporations, and their corporate decision-making; government policies that may stimulate Canadian high technology and enhance competitiveness; a brief history of GATT tariff negotiations, subsidies and possible agreements to limit their use; the use of government procurement policies to assist domestic high-tech firms; regulation in the context of high-tech policies; the protection of intellectual property and education and research as the basis of a new high-tech strategy, particularly the Canadian record.