Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Gaffield, I'd like to hear you comment specifically on the latest budget released on Tuesday.
I repeat: there were zero dollars in additional funds for the granting agencies.
When you were here before the committee on December 5, you said the following:
Over the next five years, the CHIPS and Science Act in the United States will essentially double the base budget of the National Science Foundation. This massive funding will put enormous additional pressure on Canadian universities as they struggle to compete for and retain top research talent and the best graduate students. This and similar initiatives in other countries demand our immediate attention.
On Tuesday, the science community had high hopes for the federal government. After seeing the budget, I can say that I have some serious comments for the government. Instead, however, I'd like to hear yours.
These are my questions.
What do you think about Tuesday's budget, particularly with respect to funding for science and research?
What message is that sending? What message is the federal government sending to scientists at universities in Quebec and across Canada?