Finance committee  In that respect, we are working at the international level. We would be very pleased to check, and we will provide you further information in the weeks ahead.

Finance committee  I'm not an expert on that subject. The situation is constantly changing. Those who break the rules put all their energy into finding ways to do so. The authorities that protect us constantly have to adapt to this. I can check to see what stage the discussions are at, and I would be very pleased to provide you with information later on.

Finance committee  Thank you for your question. According to my information, the government and the appropriate tribunals are currently examining the issue. It must be said, and I believe you said the same thing, that Canada's system is very secure. There are rather significant verification measures built in.

Finance committee  We must be cautious. As I stated, I do believe that we have the best safeguard system in the world. Nonetheless, we must constantly make sure that we are protected against new waves. What can we do better? I hope I answered the question properly. Certain departments, such as Health Canada, and even the RCMP, are currently looking into the issue.

Finance committee  Thank you for that question and for rekindling our hockey memories. I think the federal government can make sure that public money is spent appropriately. In fact, in departments such as Health Canada, there is an increasing number of requirements and challenges. We must make sure that we are properly equipped to address needs and to understand the beneficial effects of drugs, etc., and by doing so, make sure that there are no delays.

Finance committee  Thank you for your question. Indeed, Quebec continues to work in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry. It is precisely why slightly less than 50% of all Canadian research is done in the province of Quebec. With respect to what the federal government can do, I believe that there are three factors that can encourage company heads to invest.

Finance committee  Indeed, we have made presentations in many fora. We try to convince our audiences that now is the time to act. We have also talked about tax credits for research. Let us now talk about the long term. Merck Frosst maintained its operations in Quebec because we have a favourable system there, at a time when other research centres in the United States were being shut down.

Finance committee  Thank you very much. My name is Russell Williams, I am President of Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies. I'm with Debbie Murray, director of policy development of Rx&D.; I appreciate this opportunity to appear before the committee and discuss this important issue with you.

Industry committee  As I've mentioned several times, there are four basic criteria that need to be responded to in the first phase and in the second phase. We believe they are quite straightforward. My understanding is that in the second phase, if the first 30 days don't work, there would be a movement fairly quickly to compulsory licensing, if all criteria were completed.

Industry committee  I cannot determine the reason that Apotex didn't continue.

Industry committee  I understand your question is focused on the claim that it was uniquely that a country would not identify itself. There are other lists, and I think Madam Brunelle listed a number of other areas where people speculated why it doesn't work. One of them from Industry Canada was in fact on the cost of generics in Canada.

Industry committee  Mr. Arthur, I think you actually highlighted a number of the problems we're talking about. One of the things we try to say is that there are many ways we should try to find a solution. There's not one solution; there are many solutions. If we try to think there's one panacea that's going to fix everything, we're wrong.

Industry committee  I'm used to it, don't worry. I'm going to change my name to William Russell. To your question, and it's an important question, it seems to me some basic information is important. I understand the sensitivities you're trying to get out. We are very touched by this humanitarian crisis.

Industry committee  Yes. And that's happening already in many...before CIDA. In terms of your question about CIDA, there is preferential pricing, at cost or free. So we are interested in doing that and we continue to be interested in doing that, with whatever partnerships. I think CIDA could be helpful in terms of this mandate of making sure that people understand about this bill.

Industry committee  One suggestion is that I want to inform more people what it is, so that it can work. And I'd like us, once we start a process, to run the process all the way through to make sure it is actually.... Before we decide what's broken, let's see what part doesn't work. Let's educate people.