Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
I would like to thank everyone for their very helpful presentations.
Ian started off the panel by suggesting we look at competitiveness in a broader light than simply the bottom line, and in fact look at the notion in terms of what we can contribute to our communities for economic and social growth. Given the framework Ian has presented, how would the panel feel in general about the hard choices facing us?
On the one hand, we have Mr. Jon Garson from the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce suggesting that in fact debt reduction, tax cuts, and spending cuts should be our major priority. On the other hand, we have Dr. Kershaw, Michael Clague, Jack Styan, and perhaps others suggesting that we have to have a more balanced approach, to ensure that some the surplus is spent in a way that ensures the kind of competitiveness Ian is talking about.
I need to hear from you about how we convince the government--which does seem to be preoccupied with debt reduction, spending cuts, and tax cuts--to actually open up its mind and heart to investing in child care, in mental health programs, in programs for people with disabilities. That's my first question to Paul, Michael, and Jack. Then I would like to ask Mr. Garson something else on that same topic.