Excellent.
I noted in the estimates that the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is seeking $101.8 million in grants under the Canada first research excellence fund. That's $70 million more than in the 2016-17 estimates.
This funding is a joint initiative of the three research granting agencies. How will this funding be distributed between basic and applied research? Perhaps you could talk as well about how this particular group makes it easier for the private sector to collaborate with academia and private business.