We are trying to work with the provinces in a number of ways. In this particular area of science and technology, shall we say, as compared to other areas of the department, one size definitely does not fit all. Different provinces have different infrastructure in place, if you look at Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, or B.C.
The second point I would make is that when you use the term “coordination”, coordination does not necessarily come easily in this particular sector, partly because both governments deal with third-party instruments. That would be the NRC and our granting councils. Provincial governments have similar institutions, which are at arm's length from actual decision-making.
The third point I would make is that a lot of the research is indeed discovery research. If you look at some of the foundation research that takes place in universities and so forth, it is bottom up; it is by researchers. So in some respects, it runs counter to the concept of explicit federal-provincial consultations.
I will ask my colleague if he has anything to add. We have ongoing discussions with a number of provinces on a bilateral basis. Iain was recently meeting with his Ontario colleagues in regard to certain areas, shall we say, in the auto sector, where there is an interest on the part of government--it was flagged in the budget--to pursue further R and D collaboration.
So within the parameters I've outlined, we do seek to work with provincial governments.
With respect to that one last thing, in the Atlantic provinces we try to work through ACOA, since they have an Atlantic Innovation Fund.