The CFI is committed to the principle of public accountability. As a result, it places great importance on evaluating the impact of its investments in research infrastructure. It also recognizes its responsibility to deliver programs that focus on Canada's needs and that enable its researchers to compete in the global, knowledge-based economy.

The CFI has a signed funding agreement with the Government of Canada on investments and disbursements, and must operate within this framework. As an arm’s length, independent corporation, the CFI reports to a Board of Directors.

The CFI has many forms of accountability and operates in a highly transparent manner. The CFI has undertaken formal evaluations of its programs to assess their impact and to help determine the benefits they are producing for Canadians.

To ensure that the institutions that receive infrastructure support are providing the best possible results for the benefit of Canadians, the CFI requires that they be accountable in a number of ways. Institutions are requested to develop and periodically update strategic research plans and priorities to reflect the changing environment which are made public. We also request and publish their institutional progress reports — which are submitted to the Minister of Industry—against these plans on an annual basis, in addition to the results for each project for a period of at least five years. And as part of an overall commitment to highlight CFI investment in their region, institutions are asked to submit communication plans.

All approved projects over $4 million are subject to a contribution audit at the institution. Further, a sampling of all other projects are also subject to audit. The CFI also conducts regular monitoring visits to confirm sound fiscal accounting practices at the institutions.

The Minister of Industry tables the Annual Report in Parliament and it is widely distributed by the CFI each year. The CFI also makes regular appearances and submissions to the Standing Committees on National Finance and on Industry, Science and Technology, and has a process in place to provide briefings to Members of Parliament, Senators, and senior Government officials.