In a statement accompanying the report, CIPO explained that:

"In today’s knowledge economy, intellectual property (IP) is an increasingly important business asset, enabling Canadian innovators and creators to enhance the value of their products and services."

"The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) plays a key role in supporting Canada’s innovation performance by delivering quality and timely IP rights within a modern competitive IP system. CIPO also works to increase Canada’s innovative opportunities by promoting and disseminating IP rights and information."

The most recent edition of the business plan documents CIPO’s plans and key activities for 2008-09, guided by its Strategic Plan 2007-2012, entitled 'Moving Forward to Canada’s Advantage'.

The strategic plan outlines five strategic directions adopted by the organization this past year: client services and outreach, the IP administrative framework, international activities, and staff.

This business plan is organized around these five strategic directions. It also includes three key enablers that are "critical to our success", according to CIPO. These are: management and accountability; internal and external communications; and information and technology.

The statement concluded:

"In this coming year, CIPO will pay particular attention to operational excellence and to repositioning our Outreach program to enable Canadians to make strategic use of IP."