Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'll now turn to the representatives from the Council of Canadian Innovators. My questions will focus on the start‑up ecosystem.
First, how have start‑ups weathered the pandemic and lockdowns? We know that they've had a lot of problems.
Second, how can we better support them? Several of my colleagues have raised the importance of taking them to a higher level. Under the current model, these companies are financed with venture capital and are encouraged to make innovations. When an innovation is made, the start‑up company often sells it to an American company in order to repay the venture capital.
Would it be appropriate to set up a patient capital system to support start‑ups at another level?