The sort of investment that Brigitte has just mentioned is the track record of our industry. Each time the government has moved forward, we have responded.
In fact, changes in the Patent Act from 1987 have resulted in an increase of 1,500% in terms of R and D. Despite negative changes in the Canadian environment, we have honoured our commitment to Canada since that time by investing back 10% of our annual sales in R and D. But we want to do more.
Improved IP for our sector will promote and accelerate the translation of today's ideas into tomorrow's medicines and vaccines, whether it's cancer, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular, infectious diseases, or chronic pain. But we give a pledge to Canada, too. We will continue to work in collaboration with all governments to improve our health care system. We will continue to attract and work our hardest to bring in new investments to Canada.
Working together, I believe our country is poised to show the world just what Canada can really do. We must seize this opportunity that CETA gives us.
We appreciate the opportunity to have this dialogue. We are open for questions and answers.