Thank you.
We haven't spoken very much about the Gates Foundation, and I'm going to be limited in what I can say because it's, in a way, second-hand. My observation, working with the foundation, has been that they are very scientifically driven and use evidence-based science as the basis for any of their decisions. They are also very strategic in developing their program. Their program is focused on areas of need, in this case for HIV, typically in Africa rather than in Canada. They are also, however, very much impressed by Canada's capabilities or, as esteemed colleagues have said, their record and history of having produced extremely valuable knowledge with respect to HIV vaccine production and the overall definition of the disease altogether.
There is a coupling that has come together between our capacity in Canada and the very fact that we have definite social and medical problems with HIV/AIDS expression in Canada in a whole series of populations. So we think whatever we do jointly with the Gates Foundation is going to be beneficial in Canada to Canadian social and medical structures as well.
There was a comment that the Gates Foundation is in itself strategic, that it is developing a large strategic plan for how the vaccine implementation can benefit the issue of HIV all over the world. It hasn't been mentioned around the table here that the Gates Foundation supported a vaccine trial. It was an early-stage vaccine trial in Thailand, which, for the very first time, had some efficacy. That has given us a tremendous boost in thinking that perhaps there is a solution available. It's the first real indication. That is actually forcing the issue more. We have a promise that there is a vaccine coming, which is being developed through the Gates Foundation. Trials on people have shown a low level of efficacy, not one you would say is ideal yet, but at least the solution seems to be around the corner.
It is that large view of the issue that the foundation has taken. Canada is, frankly, a small player, but for them we are a very important player. The Gates Foundation has said they view Canada as an essential partner in their efforts. Altogether these are good things for us, as the Government of Canada, to move our own very specific agendas or points forward to where we think we can get the greatest value for our expenditures.