We're going to get back now to our study of poverty. I want to thank all our witnesses once again for being here today.
We have been doing this study for the last year to a year and a half across the country, in eastern Canada, in Ontario, and of course we've come west. It was suggested that we come north, and am I ever glad that we have come north. It's been interesting to see some of the different nuances.
We realize poverty is an issue across the whole country, but it's amazing to see... Those of you who are here could have told us that and are telling us that, and we appreciate what we've been learning since we've been up here. We were in Whitehorse yesterday, we are in Yellowknife today, and we will be in Edmonton tomorrow. We were in Vancouver on Monday.
I'm going to get started.
Michelle, we're going to start with you and we'll move across the witness table. We'll hear all your testimony and then we'll have some time for questions and answers.
You have translation here. Mr. Lessard will be speaking in French, and audio translation can be selected. I will take time to ensure that you have a chance to get your headphones on before Mr. Lessard starts, when we do our questions.
I'll wave at you when you're getting close to your seven minutes. If you're not done, I'll certainly let you finish your comments. Then, once we've heard all the witnesses with their opening remarks, we'll have a chance for the MPs to ask some questions around the room and follow up what you had to say.
Once again, thank you for being here today. We look forward to hearing you.
I'm going to turn the floor over now to Michelle Gillis. You have seven minutes; the floor is all yours.