Universities are crucial to Canadians and to Canada. The value of universities to the fabric of our country has been manifest for decades, but never has the importance of higher education been as clear as in recent years. Federal and provincial governments have made significant contributions in fulfilling their respective responsibilities by supporting the research and higher education functions of Canada's universities over many decades, and all Canadians have enjoyed the fruits of these investments. To ensure that citizens continue to benefit from the knowledge generated in university research facilities and that society gains from the graduates of our institutions, it is crucial for the federal government to maintain and build upon its investments. By so doing, the federal government is investing in the continued wealth, health and quality of life of our country. Federal investments in university research have been invaluable in enabling our institutions to improve and build their collective capacity to create and transfer knowledge. These institutions are now better equipped to meet the needs of Canadians and the goals set by the government, including the target of making Canada one of the top five research nations in the world and the need to provide Canadians with the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century. Federal investments have also raised Canada?s profile internationally as a serious research player-helping us to keep our best researchers in Canada, to bring Canadians back home, and to attract international star researchers from abroad. These are all achievements of which Canadians can be proud.