Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I am pleased to be with you today and, more importantly, to be able to share my questions again with Mr. Lamarre, whom I had the good fortune of inviting to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology a few months ago. I am curious to hear his views on the evolution of research in the context of the pandemic.
The pandemic has highlighted the fact that investments in basic research are paramount, as they have affected people's daily lives. We need to stop compartmentalizing everything. We need to consider increased funding for basic research not as a mere cost, but as a societal investment that will allow society to fully develop in the long term.
Do you agree? Can you explain your point of view?