Thank you very much.
I think it's wonderful to have you here today. The government is very fortunate and, dare I say, Canadians are very fortunate to have you in this role.
Dr. Nemer, I wanted to ask you about the importance of basic research, but I want to do so by asking you your thoughts on how exactly the Canadian population can be galvanized to support basic research and investment in basic research. For me, I think it's communicating the issue in economic terms. When we think about the essentials that people rely on these days in the modern economy, we can't help but talk about the smart phone or the automobile. The smart phone and the technologies used in it, as you well know, are the result of what started as basic, curiosity-driven research. When it comes to cars, air deployment sensors, shatter-proof windshields, and extended-life tires are all the end result of basic research.
If the matter is framed in that way and if a link is tied between basic research and economic development and growth, I wonder if there's something to be said about that kind of an approach when it comes to communicating to the public about the importance of basic research investment.