Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would also like to thank the two witnesses for joining us today.
In your presentations, you talked about financial needs, about what investments should be made to improve the health of first nations and, more specifically, to fight this scourge of prescription drug abuse.
With that in mind, what are your thoughts on the fact that, according to its report on plans and priorities, the federal government wants to cut $653.8 million, or 17.3%, of Health Canada's budget, over the next three years?
Do you think there is some hope that the federal government will provide you with financial assistance to help you carry out your projects and, potentially, develop new programs or ways to improve the health of first nations? Do you rather believe that those cuts unfortunately mean that first nations will have to wait, as they have been doing for a very long time, to get what they deserve?