Mr. Chair, first I would like to say that it is always very stimulating to see the variety of sectors that are represented in these consultations. It's refreshing to see to what extent we are able to discuss things in Canada without getting agitated. This is not always the case in other countries. It's good to live in Canada.
To follow up on what my colleague was saying, I want to point out that Quebec took an initiative several years ago by investing a lot in innovation and research. I am convinced that basic research is not sufficient. That is a challenge.
Since we are more concerned with the commercialization of innovation and research, we look at the outcomes of knowledge, if you will. For these reasons, we encourage more co-operation between businesses and equity. I see that there are people here from the Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec, and they are an important player when it comes to investing in business.
In addition, we want to encourage the democratization of research in business. As to the means to do that, we believe that the existing programs that encourage research and development make it possible to have a broader and more democratic platform, so that all businesses can invest and decide on the projects that interest them. Consequently, we believe in maintaining the current program, even if the Innovation Superclusters Initiative and the Strategic Innovation Fund are effective in that they allow people to choose certain sectors deemed a priority for Canada, which can lead to more investments.
Essentially, we believe that there is a balance to find between a platform of incentive measures for research and development that apply to everyone on the one hand, and more targeted measures on the other.
As for co-operation among businesses, allow me to take Quebec as an example. That province has programs that encourage cooperation between large enterprises and SMEs. It's important to understand the advantages of such programs. Just imagine the risk sharing that is made possible thanks to the co-operation between large and small businesses. It also means that SMEs can find new clients. There are commercial advantages to such collaboration. It also leads to an exchange of knowledge.
We also think that Canada should look at measures to encourage co-operation among businesses, as Quebec does. The models already exist and don't need to be reinvented. Basically, it means encouraging big business to work more with SMEs.
To conclude, I want to express appreciation for the superclusters initiative. We read the initial conclusions and the choice of the nine superclusters, one of which concerns the innovative manufacturing sector. I am not sure that that was the word that was used, but let's call it that. I think that that particular supercluster is in the Waterloo area close to Toronto.
Quebec is working with that initiative, with the Industry 4.0 concept Mr. Monette referred to earlier. In defining the superclusters, it is important to understand what is happening everywhere in Canada, including in Quebec, in order to see if there could be more co-operation with regard to the superclusters that will finally be chosen.
Finally, the $1.3 billion Strategic Innovation Fund is very important. It stimulates research in the automotive sector and the aeronautics sector, through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative, as well as the Automotive Innovation Fund. In the last budget, these two funds and others were consolidated to create the Strategic Innovation Fund. The $1.3 billion fund has already been spent, which means that the big projects that would be eligible for funding through that program cannot receive any, because there are no more funds, basically.
Thank you.