If you look at the model for our company, I think the SR&ED program has been very beneficial, in the sense that it has allowed us to conduct company-funded R and D, which then qualifies for SR&ED tax credits. We conduct that R and D typically to set up for development of new technology through contracts—not subsidies, but contracts—and often those contracts are performed not only for the Government of Canada but for other governments. In those cases we're bringing revenue into the country in the performance of those R and D programs.
When I spoke previously about some of the suggestions on how to change the model for SR&ED—trying to emphasize more commercialization—the real concern is that if we get into a situation where there is a group somewhere that is trying to define the strategic priorities for research, there is no possible way for them to really know across the country what the most promising technologies are for a range of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The smartest people in the world could sit down in a room and they're not going to be able to accurately predict breakthrough technology that could be the next multi-million-dollar technology for the company. From our perspective, it makes sense to try to provide programs that will encourage promising commercial technologies, but not to try to define what those technologies are by sector.