Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Madam Minister, and the support people for being here today.
Getting back to the estimates, it looks as if there's an increased focus on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council with $86.8 million of planned spending.
Madam Minister, you talked about the need for fundamental research in a previous conversation we had when you were down in Washington. You were talking about the separation between fundamental research and innovation, and how innovation can come from fundamental research, but there is really no guarantee; that's why it's fundamental research.
Could you comment on the need for catching up on NSERC funding, where we are, and where we need to be to regain our ground there?