Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In regard to that comment about the high Canadian dollar, I guess the one thing I would assert is that a high Canadian dollar is a good thing. It may present some challenges, but overall the high Canadian dollar is a sign that the Canadian economy is strong. I think we always have to remember that. Our economy right now is stronger than just about any developed economy in the world. That's a good thing for Canadians.
There are just a couple of things I want to focus on here in terms of the conversation around SR and ED. I guess the two principles I want to focus on here are the concepts of balance and constant improvement, in a sense. Canadians would expect that the government would look at ways to constantly improve the balance we have, in terms of whatever mechanisms we're using.
The word “balance” also comes into play with my constituents a lot. The priority is to balance the budget by 2015, so they're taking a really good look at what we're spending money on. As you look at these changes, one of the things we're trying to do here is to make sure that while we're making a change in one area, we're also adding something in another area.
As for IRAP, I'll read from the budget:
Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes an additional $110 million per year starting in 2012-13 to the National Research Council to double Industrial Research Assistance Program. This will allow the National Research Council to support additional small and medium-sized businesses that create high-value jobs, and to expand the services provided to businesses through the program's Industrial Technology Advisers. The National Research Council will also create a concierge service that will provide information and assistance to small and medium-sized businesses to help them make effective use of federal innovation programs.
Maybe I'll start with Mr. Davies. How important is that step in improving the environment for small and medium-sized businesses in Canada?