I want to welcome everyone and to thank you for being here.
Recent happenings in financial markets, whether in Europe or the United States, have clearly caused a lot of uncertainty. We are here today to consider that uncertainty. We want to work together and to find solutions. That is why we asked for this meeting today.
We also want to inform Canadians about the steps that are to be taken in this regard. We are very pleased that the minister and the Governor of the Bank of Canada can join us. We also feel that it is important to hear expert advice, from economists who can provide us with other options. It is important to look, not only at all the economic developments abroad, but also their possible repercussions on Canadians.
A number of people in my riding have told me that they are concerned. They are concerned about job cuts and the uncertainty those cuts create. They also talk of the need for investment in infrastructure. We have the Champlain Bridge in my riding, for example, a matter that we really should focus on.
So we are asking for openness and for the ability to find all possible solutions. We are looking forward to hearing testimony and options of different kinds so that we can really come to grips with the problems currently arising around the world and can feel sure that we in Canada are in a better position to avoid them. We have done well up to now and we can do still better. So we are looking forward to hearing from the witnesses in order to have as many options as possible.