Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I simply want to continue the discussion we started earlier on investments. We were saying that, in 2007, the private sector invested twice as much as the Canadian government in research. There is nothing to indicate that things are any different now. Even when we add up the amounts from the various levels of government, we don't reach the amounts invested by the private sector.
As university researchers, you are in the best position to tell us how this all works exactly. I suppose the approach towards research is different when the investment comes from the private sector than when it comes from the public sector. I am obviously not saying to eliminate funding from the private sector. I am not even saying that the private sector and companies will cunningly try to direct research towards a particular result that suits their needs. But, in the public perception, perhaps this is the type of question that comes up.
Since you work at a university, could you describe the process to me, right from the start? You are doing research on a given topic. The private sector provides part or most of the funding. What is the process you have to follow?