I'm from Nova Scotia. I was a teacher at the South Shore Regional Centre for Education. In Nova Scotia, we were actually the template for the Nova Scotia food program and one of the first adopters of the national school food program.

When I hear Conservatives call the effectiveness of this national program into question—they've claimed that it's not feeding children—I know directly, face to face, that is not true. Having taught thousands of kids and, in the last five years, having been a template exemplar for the program and a full adopter, and having other communities from all over the country coming to the school board where I worked, I think this is of great benefit in terms of highlighting how much support that program has given our youth in this country.

Thank you.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bobby Morrissey

Thank you.

I will go to Monsieur Blanchette-Joncas for two minutes.

1:05 p.m.

Bloc

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Madam Secretary of State, according to the Ottawa Science Policy Network, the funding provided through federal grants is still some 40% below the real cost of living. That's even after funding levels were reviewed in 2024, following a 20‑year freeze.

Half of all graduate students consider leaving the country, because the science ecosystem and conditions are poor.

In its recent budget, the government claims that it wants to make Canada a global leader in innovation.

I have just one question about that statement.

How can you say you want to make Canada a leader in innovation when you won't even fund Canadian talent and you are actually spending $2 billion to recruit top international researchers?

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Anna Gainey Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

The talent attraction strategy mentioned in the budget benefits all post-secondary teaching institutions and schools.

Talent in our colleges and universities attracts more young people and talent. This investment will help to create an even bigger ecosystem, and I think it's very important for the sector.

I'm not sure whether you had anything to add.

1:05 p.m.

Bloc

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

Ms. Gainey, I take it that you're not as familiar with this subject.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Anna Gainey Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

Yes, that's true.

1:05 p.m.

Bloc

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

With all due respect, the government's recent budget sends a negative message. The government is reducing funding for the three granting councils, the very organizations that fund research and make innovation possible. The government is not indexing student grants, which hadn't gone up a single cent in 20 years.

Name me something that hasn't gone up in price in the past 20 years.

We are talking about grants and fellowships for graduate students.

Can you tell me how it is that you are supporting the next generation of researchers and talent here, without indexing grants or providing more funding?

You hold fine press conferences. You say you're investing nearly $2 billion to attract the world's top researchers, while students here are living in atrocious conditions.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Anna Gainey Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC

I think those questions could also be directed to Ms. Joly.

It is actually—

1:05 p.m.

Bloc

Maxime Blanchette-Joncas Bloc Rimouski—La Matapédia, QC

She removed the word “science” from her title as minister, so I don't think research matters to her anymore.

1:05 p.m.

Liberal

Anna Gainey Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC