First of all, you raise a very interesting point, as always, Mr. Cannings.
The federal government and I have a role of leadership, and I think that's the primary role: to set the tone. That's why the guidelines have been the first moment in Canada where we have a framework and a research security centre. We have an enhanced security posture, and we're going to come up with a list. However, you're right. Not all the research in Canada is funded through federal grants where we have a direct way of influencing. What we've been doing is demanding and working with Universities Canada, the U15 and the Government of Canada-universities working group to say that we're all in this together. This is a nationwide effort. This is about national security. I may not have all the tools under the constitution to force them, but I think, as your colleague said before, people expect us to put in the framework. I think that's what we've done, and the list is going to be of great help.
You're quite right. We want the research to be as open as possible but as secure as necessary. To your point, I was very pleased—and I mentioned this to your colleagues before—when I saw universities that have voluntarily said that, for example, with Huawei, they would cease any partnership they had with them, and I insisted....
There are many ways to fund research in Canada. I think the Government of Canada is doing its fair share on that. The provinces are there as well. However, we need to make sure that we protect our research. I would say—and I'll finish there—that it's not only the research. I want to draw the attention of the committee to the data. We need to protect our datasets, as well, and the IP that comes out of those. That's why the ICA.... I just want to say that I'm pleased that the House voted on that because the ICA is going to give us more tools—we worked with Mr. Perkins on that—in the law to protect our IP when it comes to national security.