Health committee  I would I agree with that. I think the trick is to create a pod that is dedicated specifically to this kind of activity. Part of our challenge right now is that our commercialization funding lives in our granting councils, and so it typically goes to academics who are doing a l

Health committee  I think that's an open question. My own view is that real expertise and basic research is table stakes in the global innovation economy, and that's what the world is investing in. It's not just because basic research is fun to do; it's because it actually keeps you at the leadi

Health committee  Yes. These are all very research-intensive companies. One of the other primary sources that funds R and D in Canada is the SR and ED tax credit. While these companies are in the research phase, they typically claim tax credits. In some other countries, you would find government

Health committee  I feel quite strongly about this, and it goes to the previous question. I think we're sleepwalking through the global innovation challenges, unless we rethink our approach. We have to make collaboration our competitive advantage. In the EXCITE process, it's been very encouragin

Health committee  Going back to the earlier question about the role the federal government can play, the federal government can be very helpful in funding some catalytic activity to foster those collaborations. Sometimes it's just a question of incenting people to not reinvent, but to learn about

Health committee  I wonder if you are referring to Genome Canada, maybe. I'm just thinking about the large pots that have been created since then. I would say that is still very much a translational research and fundamental research funder. It funds more people than CFI, which funds equipment.

Health committee  The Canadian medical discoveries fund was a private fund that sunsetted in about 2008. I don't know if that might be the vehicle. It was—

Health committee  Absolutely. Yes, Britain has been the pioneer in this so-called area of social finance, led by Sir Ronald Cohen, one of the world's grandfathers of venture capital. He has been exploring for the last 12 to 15 years models of partnership between the public and private sectors. It

Health committee  I see the role of government in these processes as very much catalytic. You have academe as the feeder system of these important discoveries and ideas, and obviously the government has a role in funding those. There is industry and more established sources of funding to move thes

Health committee  I can hear you very well. I hope you can hear me.

Health committee  Thank you for this opportunity. I'm sorry that I can't be there in person, but I've just wrapped up a board meeting here. I really appreciate the opportunity, particularly in the context of this committee, to give you a bit of a view of our efforts to build a coherent innovation

Health committee  Ilse Treurnicht, thank you.