Thank you, merci beaucoup.
I call to order meeting number 128 of the Standing Committee on Finance.
Colleagues, just before we get to our special guest this morning, I just want to inform you—I believe you all know—that with respect to our study on income inequality, a motion was adopted in the House of Commons. I'll just read it for your information. By unanimous consent it was ordered:
That, in relation to its study on income inequality, the Standing Committee on Finance be authorized to continue its deliberations beyond Thursday, June 13, 2013, and to present its report no later than Thursday, October 31, 2013.
This reflects the will of this committee as well. Thank you.
Our second order of business today, pursuant to Standing Orders 110 and 111, is the order in council appointment of Stephen S. Poloz to the position of Governor of the Bank of Canada, referred to the committee on Monday, May 27, 2013.
Governor, I want to welcome you to the committee for the very first time. I congratulate you, on behalf of all committee members, on your appointment. With your predecessor, Mark Carney, we always had very interesting dialogues. We look forward to a very interesting dialogue with you here this morning.
At this time, I'll allow you to begin with an opening statement, and then we'll have questions from members.