Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
It's really wonderful to be here with both doctors at this historic committee, in our first meeting.
I want to talk about something that struck a chord with me, Dr. Nemer. It was when I heard you mention the power generated when government, business, academia and, I guess, private enterprise—I think you said “civil society”—work collaboratively to advance science-based solutions.
Then when I heard Dr. Runte say “Art McDonald”, “Nobel Prize”, “Cape Breton”—of course, I come from Nova Scotia, a small province in Atlantic Canada—it goes to show you that it doesn't matter where we are in Canada, research happens everywhere, but it's also the power of collaboration.
Having spent eight years in provincial politics before coming to federal, I see the real advantage of collaborating, not just between the levels of government but, quite frankly, with academia, our universities, colleges and students, whether international or our homegrown sons and daughters—I have two who are scientists—but also with private enterprise.
Dr. Nemer, what more can we do to enrich this culture of collaboration that I think is desperately needed in order for us to be able to gain a lot more momentum in this country for research and science?