It is extremely important. The research we undertake is genuinely needed by the communities we call home and local businesses.
The majority of the country's employers are small and medium-sized businesses. All too often unfortunately, they don't have the expertise or equipment to carry out the research that can help solve some of the problems they face. That is the case right across the country, whether we are talking about rural, urban, remote or northern communities.
The applied research we undertake benefits everyone, all Canadians.