Thank you.
I want to reiterate the importance of long‑term investments. A strong signal must be sent to the research community, who is waiting for this signal.
In 2017, Quebec adopted the Quebec life sciences strategy for 2017‑27. This constitutes an important sector of the Quebec economy. Several billions of dollars are invested in research and development. This sector includes over 660 companies and 32,000 high‑quality jobs in Quebec.
On July 1, the PMPRB reform is scheduled to come into effect, even though Douglas Clark told us five years ago that the PMPRB had never studied the impact of the life sciences reform in Quebec and in Canada. Yet we know that research takes place at the centre of an ecosystem with strong components and that weakening the biopharmaceutical sector undermines the entire chain.
The Bloc Québécois is proposing a solution that has consensus. It involves changing the countries' reference basket and delaying the contentious issues in order to set up a discussion table. No one wants a third passive delay, since this would prolong the uncertainty.
Do you agree to implement these recommendations, Madam Minister?