Thank you, Chair.
I'd like to thank you all for coming here. This is our first meeting, as you know. We're laying the groundwork for what are hoped to be great consultations for some advice to the finance minister.
Before I lead with my question, I want to make one thing perfectly clear that I think we'll agree with: that 2009 created an enormous challenge. I remember our former minister, the late Mr. Flaherty, speaking about the crisis and the talks that were ongoing behind the scenes. Essentially the position was, guys, we have to do something very drastic. The world was at a tipping point at that point. Unless we made some significant, bold moves—again, the free world in general—we looked at a total collapse.
So we're in a new chapter. We have begun what we hope will be, and it appears to be the case, balanced budgets.
Now, I don't want to put you on the spot, but I know that Mr. Page probably can think about this and has a little bit more information at the tip of his finger. I'm going to mandate you as the finance minister for the next five years, and I want you to lay out the groundwork for what you would think are essential steps or positions that the government must take. We can build around those things, so I'm not asking for that. I'm asking for one, two, or three principles that you feel are essential for the next five years, with a balanced budget; where we go next.
I'll start with Mr. Page, and then I'll go to Mr. Speer, Mr. Cross, and Mr. Oberg—I'll give you a break, Mr. Oberg, because this is probably a little out of your...so you'll be the last one asked.
Mr. Page.