Thanks very much.
Our government has been investing significantly when it comes to pain management. In fact, through the CIHR we've invested about $55 million into pain management research.
I recently met with one of the leading neurosurgeons in our nation. He's based in Montreal and does quite a bit of work at the CIHR. They were focused primarily on arthritis research, but they're very patient-focused. They had provided a questionnaire to their patients, asking them to rank their priorities. The patients came back and ranked as their number one priority pain management, which came as quite a surprise to the physicians and the clinicians. So they have completely changed their focus moving forward so that they are able to address this patient concern.
Can you tell me a little bit about the importance of research into pain issues to ensure that patients' needs are being met? Through you, Mr. Chair, if I might direct my question to Ms. Cooper first, and if there are any others who would like to augment the answer, please do speak up.