The concern we have moving away from an SR&ED tax credit model and going toward something where the funding is more directed is that some group is going to decide the priority areas for investment. The research areas of small companies that are often not on the radar and don't spend huge dollars marketing and may not be the most prevalent name in Canada but are doing very innovative work can easily be overlooked when some other group is deciding what the strategic priorities for research should be. In our opinion, it tends to stifle innovation.
On June 12th, 2012. See this statement in context.