Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
Thank you to all of you for being here.
I really appreciate what Penelope has just said in terms of this serious debate we're having on the priorities of government in a day and age when we aren't competitive internationally, and when we hear so much in the media that all we have to do is to lower taxes and cut spending and we'll be fine. I think we're now facing the consequences of that kind of mentality.
So I'd like to hear more from folks. Maybe I'll start with John Paul and ask if some of the recent cuts will have an impact on aboriginal people, and if we follow the board of trade suggestion for more tax cuts and more reductions in spending, will we have greater problems? How can you make the case for government here so that boards of trade will actually think about a more balanced approach?