Finance committee  I'm talking about something that happens, for example, in my own riding in a place called GreenCentre Canada, where there is a dedicated laboratory and scientists who actually look at research that comes out of universities and try to find a place for it in industy, taking advantage of industrial partners. Is there a place for that in the ACRE proposal?

Petitions  I have the honour to present a petition from my constituents that calls upon the Government of Canada to respect the right of Canadians to have access to good statistical information, citizens as well as legislators, and asks the government to adequately fund basic research and free scientists to speak openly on all taxpayer-funded research, apart from subjects with legitimate national security restrictions.

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  Madam Speaker, in my opinion, this government fears criticism. In the hon. member's opinion, what do the scientists who were muzzled have to say that could scare the government?

Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act  However, cutting Environment Canada's budget, eviscerating environmental legislation, suppressing dissenting opinions and muzzling government scientists increases the risk of major environmental harm, which would be a high price for future generations to pay, would it not?

Privilege  Since there is no French version on that website, strictly speaking, I would have to object to the minister's assertion that "the amended version in fact has been available online for everyone to see". Indeed, as I verified with the researchers, no French copy of the corrected version existed anywhere in the public domain and, to my knowledge, it still does not. The manner in which the minister tabled the revised research report last week is an illustration of the government's lack of rigour.

Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act  What is basic research? It starts with curiosity. Scientists are human beings. They are passionate people. Why is it that scientists spend so much time and work so hard, like crazy, to try to figure out things and discover things?

House debate  However, we are talking about allowing Canadian government scientists to talk about their research. The most famous example was a fishery scientist who published a paper about salmon in the prestigious journal Science, which attracted a lot of international attention.

Industry committee  All I want to point out is that I know we have to cut certain things, but in terms of priorities, I think scientists, engineers, and other researchers have really spoken out quite loudly about their concern about the cuts to RTI. Let me go on to my last question, Minister, and that is about the number in the supplementary estimates for NRC of roughly $61 million for refocusing the work at NRC.

Business of Supply  In response to questions in question period on the Experimental Lakes Area, the DFO minister said his department is still doing research on freshwater at the Winnipeg Freshwater Institute. However, I do not know if the government realizes that scientists at the Winnipeg Freshwater Institute actually use the Experimental Lakes Area as a place to do experimental work.

Business of Supply  Many people on both sides of this House value science. We are not debating whether we should try to encourage businesses to invest more in research and development or whether we should encourage industry-academic partnerships. What we are debating is whether, when government scientists give the government advice that it does not want to hear because it embarrasses the government, it should, nevertheless, pay attention to those scientists and give those scientists the resources they need to do their job.

BUSINESS OF SUPPLY  In stark contrast to the Canadian government's policy, why would the United States government want its scientists talking to the public about their research?

Business of Supply  That is good for Canada, but it is clear that the government is doing it at the expense of basic research, notwithstanding what the minister has said. We heard it from all the scientists who have written in to comment and strongly disagree with what the Minister of State for Science and Technology is saying.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I would like to ask a question that is related to the question that was just posed by the Minister of Science and Technology. Because of the cuts to the research tools and instrumentation program and the major resources support program, one avenue that scientists have been looking at to pay for needed equipment or for equipment repair is the indirect costs of research program.

Senate Reform Act  One that I like is establishing a committee to identify individuals in our country who are very experienced, who have played an important role and who are not usually active in politics. I am thinking of leading scientists, for example. It is very difficult to work in the sciences—doing research, for example—and to be actively involved in politics. In my opinion, this committee could look to such sectors for people who know Canada, who have played a major role in its history, but who are not usually involved in politics.

Science and Technology  Speaker, in the budget a targeted area of R and D under the eco-energy innovation initiative is advanced energy storage: batteries. The National Research Council is undergoing a big reorganization. Scientists are waiting to learn if they have a future at NRC, including lithium ion battery researchers, whose contracts are ending in a few months.