I would like to welcome the witnesses and committee members.
First, I must apologize for my French. I'm making an effort, but it's very hard for an old man like me. In fact, I started learning French three years ago.
The mandate of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance is to study the budget policy proposals presented to the federal government and to report on them. This year's theme is Canada's place in a competitive world.
We've asked you to limit your presentations to five minutes, knowing that that's not easy, but we're nevertheless going to stick to that limit. If you want to take a look over to me, I will give you a signal when you have one minute or less left. At the end of the five minutes, I'll ask you to conclude so that you can talk with the members and answer their questions.
The first member will be Mr. François Saillant, Coordinator of the Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain. Mr. Saillant, you have five minutes.