Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you to our witnesses for being here today as we continue with our study of how we award federal research dollars.
If I can, in the couple of minutes I have, turn my attention to Ms. Evans to talk a bit about Research Canada and health discovery. Your organization is dedicated to advancing health research and health innovation, and you mentioned that you have over 130-plus members, I guess through collaborative work and so on with various partners.
In the health field, how do we ensure that those funding decisions are independent from any interference, whether it's political or otherwise? I will put it in the context of since the pandemic—maybe even before that, but we've certainly seen it since. Have you seen a rise in the distrust of researchers and of research generally? What would you say the role of a parliamentarian should be in that? Again, I'm asking questions relevant to your expertise and experience in health, and to your role in that.