Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I would like to thank the witnesses for being here with us today.
Dr. Benoit, you are right in saying that we met not long ago. We met in February when we were discussing supplementary estimates. Allow me to take up where we left off back then.
In the graph on page 16 of the main estimates, the line representing funds allocated to the board you chair is very steep. As such, we have reason to wonder why there has been such a sharp increase.
You said that the 2008 annual report was on its way. It is unfortunate that we do not have it here now. According to what you said, patented medicine manufacturers have adopted a new approach to the Patent Act and now tend to be a little less cooperative. I would like to know exactly which provisions of the act enable you to tell us that today. When I look at the graph on page 10 of your 2007 report, the numbers for new patented drug products for human use tend to be relatively stable. I do not see significant fluctuations, but your budget has increased significantly.
When you appeared before us, I asked you whether a lot of the additional money went to pay for litigation. You told me that there was an SPA fund with money for hearings, and that the money was refundable.
Can you tell us whether money from the previous budget placed in the fund was returned to the government, or did you use it?