Industry committee  For our companies and with our industry, because we're at the end of commercialization and bringing products to market, it has a lot to do with having these global development wings within our companies that actually go from country to country to look for the best and brightest research.

Industry committee  The key is how innovative that invention is, whether it meets an unmet need, how unique it is, and whether that research makes sense. A big part is the quality of the research. The other part, as we were discussing earlier, is about the business environment and whether there is enough stability in the market to be able to work that research in that market and be able to see it through to commercialization.

Industry committee  I would agree. Our companies are investing in some of these consortia. One interesting example is the Centre for Drug Research and Development, CDRD, in British Columbia. There are a number of companies involved, and that's exactly what we're looking at. We're investing in this centre.

Industry committee  I think if we look at past results from the $93 million in 1987 to the over $1 billion nvested now, we have seen an increase that is quite linear in relation to changes in the Patent Act and what that has meant for pharmaceutical R and D.

Industry committee  Did you say another 10 years?

Industry committee  The key for us is looking at the environment as a whole, looking at all of the elements and seeing how they can be made stronger. Canada is a small market compared with other markets—we're about 3%—but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be out there fighting for what is rightfully our share of that research and development, so that's what we do, and that's what we want to continue to do.

Industry committee  I've never actually thought about that. We do a lot of work with local universities, and there are lots of academic research organizations we work with. We support many of them in their ability to apply for grants. We're working with the Montreal Heart Institute quite closely, and they are looking at a number of different grants for the research they are trying to do around the world.

Industry committee  What we're seeing, particularly at Hoffmann-La Roche with our investment and our expansion of 200 jobs, is that there was some debate in the global family about whether Canada could bring some of that top talent. What we're seeing is that we're ahead in recruiting because of the talent that exists within the Canadian borders.

Industry committee  I heard two questions. I'll address the R and D commitment piece, and then I can go to the health piece. For us, as we were discussing, the nature of research and development has changed in Canada. We've had this definition, as you pointed out, since 1987, but research has changed, and the type of research we do now and the type of investments we attract in Canada have changed.

Industry committee  I will start, and then I will ask my colleague Declan if he has anything to add regarding the reports, specifically. If I understand correctly, the reports focus on products introduced in the past five or ten years, so products that have already been brought onto the market. These were major products, and the reports assumed that all of the products would be granted the highest level of IP protection.

Industry committee  I would echo some of Dr. Meulien's comments. We believe very strongly in the potential of Canada. In large part, we in our industry are Canadians who are going out into our global networks and advocating and promoting to bring investments back to Canada. We advocate for Canada.

Industry committee  You're right, the industry has gone through some changes in recent months, and jobs have been lost. But there is another point I would like to get across. We believe in Canada's and Quebec's potential. We want to invest more and we want to do that in Canada. Even though we have seen job losses, we have also seen investments being made in Quebec.

Industry committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair and honourable members. On behalf of Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies—Rx&D;—thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. As you have heard, Declan and I are here representing Rx&D.; To start, Hoffmann-La Roche Limited is a member of Rx&D.; We have Canadian operations in Mississauga and Laval.

International Trade committee  I would like to add to that point. As a global company, and as a member company of Rx&D;, we know that IP is about protecting new ideas. It's about helping us discover the undiscovered. It is about helping us compete globally. It's about helping us bring this research to Canada and about making Canada part of the research continuum.

International Trade committee  Mr. Chair, not unlike members of this committee, our industry employees are proud Canadians who are responsible for promoting and advocating Canada's interests abroad. We are the ambassadors of Canada in all our companies abroad. We are passionate that Canada has many key advantages that allow us to successfully attract global investments in research and development.