It boils down to the level of ongoing investment over the years. I think that speaks to the heart of the decline. As you know, Canada's population of university teachers is getting older and older, and few young researchers are taking their place. That may be one of the reasons why it's challenging to shore up the university sector.
It has to do with the investments made by the federal and provincial governments. Some of the programs out there are great—mitacs, for instance, sends students into the private sector to gain skills and experience.
I brought up the scientific research and experimental development program earlier. The shortcomings in that regard are clear. The government could have invested directly in research and the industrial sector. I urge you to take a look at the site Research Infosource Inc., which provides a ranking of the top 50 or 100 R and D spenders in Canada. It tells you exactly where things are happening on the R and D front in Canada. It's really helpful to see how things are changing.
Investing in major research programs is a long-term undertaking. I applaud the government on its $2.2‑billion investment in bio‑innovation and bio‑manufacturing, under the 2020‑21 budget. I think it will go a long way towards helping the health sector. As you know, Canada had trouble when it came to COVID‑19 vaccine research, and it's an area we are continuing to work on. I think this funding will do a lot on that front.