Agriculture committee  We operate in a sphere of shared responsibility, involving stakeholders in universities, provincial governments and the private sector. So we need well-structured tools to ensure all those parties can work together smoothly. That's what science and agri-science clusters do for us.

Agriculture committee  It's important to consider the entire chain, all the links working together. Of course, more scientists can be hired, but their expertise can also be harnessed through science clusters, allowing us to work with those in universities or the private sector. That's one way to make sure we engage all those people.

Agriculture committee  Dr. Mithani talked about innovation in agriculture. The program accounts for $700 million, which gives us nearly $468 million to work with industry on industry projects. That provides us with a solid base.

Agriculture committee  Demand for funding always exceeds the money we have available, but we are managing to cover the entire sector quite well. A rigorous process is used to select projects to ensure all possible thrusts are addressed.

Agriculture committee  Again, we'd like any program that makes cooperative working relationships possible. What's important is working collaboratively and bringing forward a variety of perspectives. And that isn't limited to branches of science; it also fosters a good understanding of markets. The clusters make that possible, and certainly, that is knowledge we want to maintain.

Agriculture committee  I'm not sure I could say exactly whether it helps or hinders innovation. The regulations are complex; and intellectual property issues can sometimes make it difficult to work together as far as the various regulations are concerned. Over the years, we've found ways to work together effectively.