I think one has to recognize that in the last few years there has been a major reinvestment into health research in Canada that has led to a real growth in health research and health researchers, but what's happening is that it is suddenly plateauing and not continuing to grow. The researchers who have joined and come to this country are here and are applying for grants; we're seeing applications for grants going like this and the research funding going like that. The application pressure is enormous, and enormously strong, really excellent research is not being funded. It will be dire unless we see continued growth in the area. The investment is there and the potential is there, and cutting it off now would really prevent the realization of that investment.
On October 26th, 2006. See this statement in context.