Science and Research committee  I'll send you the answer.

Science and Research committee  Good evening. I'm speaking from the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation. I am pleased to be here again on behalf of our 142 publicly supported colleges, CEGEPs, institutes and polytechnics. Colleges and institutes are driven by demand. They antic

Natural Resources committee  I'm okay now, Mr. Chair.

Natural Resources committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Good evening, members of the committee and fellow witnesses. I want to acknowledge that I am speaking from Ottawa, located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation. Colleges and Institutes Canada is Canada's la

Science and Research committee  They are not, but the quick answer is yes, they could, and it would be quick. We are waiting for their request.

Science and Research committee  You're absolutely right to call it an equity. The reason behind the inequity is this. Previously, the provinces made virtually no investment in applied research. In Quebec, CCTTs were already receiving funding from the province. Even if they became CATs, they still received onl

Science and Research committee  In fact, in your own riding you have the Bee Diagnostic Centre that is associated with Grande Prairie College. They are doing research for greenhouses. In fact, when I said there's no equipment, I meant the SMEs often do not have the equipment to do applied research. That's where

Science and Research committee  Unfortunately, the requests for proposals come out only twice a year, but businesses' needs aren't limited to twice a year. Businesses need ongoing funding. If a business has a problem in November, we have to make it wait until the next request for proposals comes out in June. O

Science and Research committee  I would be happy to.

Science and Research committee  Yes, absolutely. Thank you for your question. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, we received approximately $40 million annually for two years. Unfortunately, the funding was limited to two years and was specifically meant for small and medium-sized businesses. We feel that $40 millio

Science and Research committee  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 t

Science and Research committee  A CEGEP or college in a region is often the epicentre of the community's activities. It is often where people go to play sports or meet for whatever reason, serving as a gathering place for the community as a whole. Indeed, the institution is often the largest employer in the reg

Science and Research committee  Honestly, I think the government can always do more. That is why we are asking for $40 million in funding, which is not at all unreasonable. We want that funding to be made permanent so that all of the country's colleges can benefit, whether they are in urban or rural communities

Science and Research committee  Absolutely, it's a very good question. If I may, I will answer, and then Don can add what it means at the local level.

Science and Research committee  In fact, the difference is that colleges get about 2%. They get 1.9% of all the amount of dollars in research, so the potential is huge. What is interesting is how the investment of the private sector towards colleges' research has increased, in fact, in the last two years. Now