Mr. Speaker, my colleague said in his speech that we must focus on what we can control.
The Council of Canadian Academies has confirmed that Canada is experiencing a major research and innovation crisis. Investment is falling. There is a brain drain. Productivity is stagnating, and the federal system is falling behind the rest of the world.
What is there for research and innovation in the most recent federal budget? There is a 2% cut. There is no increase to offset inflation and no support for the next generation of scientists. Do we know what else his government is saying? It is speaking out of both sides of its mouth when it says that it wants to be the best and a global leader in innovation.
I have a plant at home. If I do not water it, it may not grow.
I would like my colleague to explain how he can say that he wants to be the best when he is not even making the research investments it takes to be the best in the world in terms of innovation.