Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I welcome the minister, who is joining us.
We are pleased to see you again, Minister.
We are holding this important meeting today on the national security of research. In February, you announced that you had guidelines and a plan. Normally, a plan includes timelines with dates. Today, however, you are telling us that there are no dates.
I have put questions to everyone who has appeared before the committee, including the presidents of the three granting organizations and the officials from public safety, but no one had a date. I would like to reassure those who are waiting for directives.
Allow me to quote other ministers from the provinces, including Quebec's Minister of Higher Education, Ms. Pascale Déry, who said that she was waiting for clear directives from the federal government.
She said: “I myself made submissions to Minister Champagne, but I did not receive a response. I am still waiting for one.” This statement dates back to May. She added: “We need directives to be able to take further action and to define a more precise policy so that we are able to intervene in the right way. We need clear guidelines...after all, this is a matter of national security.”
Minister, you said in February that you would produce guidelines. Those included a list of high-risk organizations. That was in February.
Now it is November—nine months later. When will this list be available to provide guidelines or, at least, clear instructions to the institutions and applicants who are waiting on a specific plan?