Mr. Speaker, over the last several years this government has put in place key building blocks for renewing Canada's innovation system.
In 1996 we announced technology partnerships Canada, a program to promote technological development and to make Canadian firms more competitive. In 1997 we announced the Canada foundation for innovation, aimed at investing in infrastructure for research and development in universities, colleges and hospitals. We also stabilized funding for the networks of centres of excellence.
In the budget just a few weeks ago we increased funding to the granting councils. This new funding will increase support to graduate students engaged in research through scholarships, post-doctoral fellowships and project grants. This new funding will also help the granting councils expand partnerships between university researchers and the private sector.
I am proud that this government is committed to making Canada more innovative by supporting science, technology and the creation of knowledge.