Science and Research committee  Yes, that's a really great question. I think we certainly do have a lot to learn from those in Quebec with respect to where we're going in our early learning and child care system in Canada. It's really an exciting time to be doing research and science in this field. Yes, I have had the opportunity to connect a bit with scientists in Quebec.

Science and Research committee  In addition to discovery research, I think bringing the voices of Canadians to science and research is really important. Leveraging and making sure that the research that we do has and impact on additional research, on policy, on practice, and that Canadians can access that information and that information is being [Inaudible—Editor].

Science and Research committee  More funding is certainly a common thread, probably from all of the witnesses who have been brought forward. I think—

Science and Research committee  What an important question. In our research, we've really tried to leverage the first-hand voices of families. I think it's listening to experiences, understanding their needs and building supports that are relevant and meaningful. Science can help us do that. Science can be social sciences.

Science and Research committee  I'll just maybe mention its relevance. I think with the early learning and children care agreement, one really important connection to science is the opportunity it provides for early career researchers. It addresses a really important barrier that a lot of early career researchers are experiencing during life transitions that many of them are having at that time.

Science and Research committee  Thanks. That's a really important question. There's been a lot more attention paid to the area of early childhood, and certainly as we understand more and more about how critical those early years are for a child's trajectory, and for a family as well. In terms of the split of funding between different areas and facets that influence early childhood, that's a great question, and I'm not sure, but there could be more.

Science and Research committee  Okay, I will do that.

Science and Research committee  Thank you, Madam Chair, and to the committee, for the invitation to share my thoughts on the successes, challenges and opportunities for science in Canada. It's really an honour to have the opportunity to speak with the committee this evening. Before I begin, I do want to start by acknowledging that I'm joining from my home in Halifax, which is in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq nation.