Science and Research committee  We're going to make a few proposals. In our view, the changes we are proposing would improve the graduate studies scholarship distribution process, while ensuring a more equitable distribution of federal funding in support of graduate students across the entire Canadian university ecosystem and in all regions of Canada.

Science and Research committee  I think this would allow us to keep a distance between the political sphere and the research sector. So I want to make it absolutely clear: the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies does not recommend in any way—

Science and Research committee  Your question has several parts to it. If I go back to the councils again, I think the main concern of Quebec universities and francophone universities in general is to ensure that applications for scholarships and grants submitted in French are properly evaluated, which we still have doubts about.

Science and Research committee  Yes. As for the distinction you make between the language of publication and the language of research, there is indeed a very important nuance. It's possible to work in a French laboratory and produce scientific literature in English. In my opinion—

Science and Research committee  It's to ensure better dissemination of research work.

Science and Research committee  I didn't say that I thought it was desirable. However, I thought that there was a sort of causal link between the question of one of your colleagues on the increase in grants and the possibility of funding going directly through the universities. Between the decisions of Parliament and the redistribution that you make to research, there is an intermediate level, composed of the federal granting councils, whose work and existence I don't question.

Science and Research committee  There is no constraint that prevents professors-researchers from paying more for students and post-doctoral researchers. In fact, in most universities, professors can give them financial support at their discretion. There's a lot of talk about federal granting council awards, but faculty who receive grants also give money.

Science and Research committee  The Canadian Association for Graduate Studies has been asking for an increase in scholarships since 2017. It's making this request as part of the pre-budget consultations.

Science and Research committee  Yes.

Science and Research committee  That's right.

Science and Research committee  The position of the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies is very clear. After the 2023 budget was announced, we issued a press release, which is perfectly aligned with the Bouchard report and which also takes into account the criticisms that were made by U15 Canada and the Association francophone pour le savoir, or Acfas.

Science and Research committee  I think any action that can help promote science in French would be a good action, and it would certainly be something we would support. The Canadian Association for Graduate Studies is a bilingual association, and we're making more and more room for the French language, whether in our working sessions or in our annual conferences.

Science and Research committee  The University of Montreal survey that I mentioned earlier speaks volumes on this subject. We know that there's a direct link between financial insecurity and mental health problems. There is a mental health crisis among graduate students. There is no doubt that the financial precariousness of our graduate students, whose scholarships haven't been indexed for over 20 years, contributes to exacerbating mental health problems.

Science and Research committee  As far as the total bill is concerned, I don't have a clear idea of the figure. I spoke to you earlier about the adjustment of the value of the scholarships that have been awarded for 20 or 25 years in Quebec and in Canada. There is a tool from the Bank of Canada that is very simple to use.

Science and Research committee  We want both. We want an increase in the value and number of scholarships.