I think one of the specific things that I will bring to CIHR is the experience that I've acquired working in various provinces, where that research for the right interface between public and private has been set in motion.
If you look at Quebec, if you look at British Columbia, if you look at Ontario, there is a series of initiatives at the provincial level that has encouraged and fostered innovative partnerships. We've talked about the creation of a consortium, which is at the pre-competitive level. In British Columbia, there has been the launch of not only the CDRD, the Centre for Drug Research and Development, but your government has launched centres of excellence for commercialization and research. Many companies have embraced those initiatives, and I think these are lessons, these are early days. But I think as an individual who is working and immersed in some of those initiatives, there is some experience that I can bring back to CIHR. CIHR is trying to develop an agenda to force the relationship with the private sector.
The other areas where clearly I'll be able to provide insight is around the reinforcement of the clinical research capability, or, even more so, as was mentioned, the patient-centred outcome initiative, which is much broader than the clinical development of drugs, if you like. There are many elements where I think my expertise can enrich the thought process and the thinking among the members and the leaders of that initiative.
Those are just short examples. Another interest that goes beyond my current appointment is my background in global health. I know that CIHR is looking strategically at partnering around the world with global charities and other governments to address global health. I'm extremely convinced that a closer collaboration with the private sector can bring solutions to the health of many people in need, in Canada and beyond.