In the patent process, as I indicated earlier, there are multiple steps. There's an application first step, but then the applicant has up to four years to decide when they wish to move forward. This is called the request for examination period. We leave it to the applicant to decide when is appropriate.
From when they request an examination, our first action for them is 14 months. That is comparable to other developed countries. From the request for examination to the final file, it is, on average, 30 months.
There are mechanisms in place so that if people need to proceed quickly, they can proceed and have their application moved to the front of the line. For example, if it's an application for a green technology, it does get accelerated without a fee, or if it's an application that has already been reviewed in another jurisdiction, that can be accelerated. There are mechanisms if people wish to move quicker.