Last week, a new competition was launched for 10 Canada Excellence Research Chairs, for which the government will commit $53 million. The following was said:
Chairholders will be selected through a highly competitive and rigorous two-stage process. [...] An independent selection board recommends the appointment of chairholders to the program steering committee, based on the highest standards of research excellence.
I have one question. Once again, I want to stress the fact that I am not at all questioning the Perimeter Institute's good work, in support of which there is ample evidence. My government colleagues have also shown as much. I am very eager to visit this institute of excellence, which I feel must be a very exciting place.
However, I am wondering what criteria contributed to the fact that, in 2007, a decision was made to grant the institute $50 million over 5 years. Was there, for instance, an invitation to tender or a competition for that funding? If so, what criteria were used?