The wellspring of astronomy and astrophysics is basic human curiosity about the universe, and our place within it. Any viable plan for the development of astronomy, therefore, must be founded upon the commitment to explore its most exciting new frontiers. This chapter presents the recommendations of the LRPP for the development of astronomy in Canada over the next 10 to 15 years. The vision articulated here is all encompassing and argues for a substantial increase in Canada's investment in these fields, bringing it a bit closer to the far greater per capita expenditures of the other developed scientific nations with whom we collaborate and trade. As we shall show, these expenditures return to Canada in many ways: scientifically, culturally, and technologically.

The LRPP plan rests upon the following basic principles:
.Fundamental Research: The major international theme of astronomy and astrophysics in the early 21st century will be the origins of structure in the universe (see Chapter 2). The frontiers of research in this era are highly likely to be planet formation, star formation, galaxy formation and evolution, and cosmology. We should focus our scientific efforts on making important advances of the highest calibre in these fundamental areas.

Ultimately, it is the wonder and mystery of the universe that inspires astronomical research. Throughout history and especially in the latter half of the 20th century, astronomy and astrophysics have been a major stimulus to the development of other branches of fundamental science, mathematics, and engineering; an exciting part of school and university curricula; and a driver for the growth of technology and industry of the most varied kinds. Given the large impact that astronomy can and does make upon science, technology, and culture, the starting point of any excellent plan for astronomy must be the identification and pursuit of its most fundamental, unsolved problems.

What is now proved was once only imagined

William Blake