Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thanks to each of you for joining us today.
I'd like to begin with the credit unions. We understand the importance of small business to the Canadian economy. It's essential. Over the next 10 years we're told that 50% of the small businesses in Canada will be sold, driven largely by demographic issues as baby boomers retire. We're also told by some economists that this represents a significant risk to the Canadian economy with such a big part of the Canadian economy going through succession in such a short period of time.
Given the importance of credit unions to small business lending and finance, should we be doing more to support your efforts, particularly during a time when there's going to be such a demand on small business financing in Canada? What is a specific measure that could enable you to do more to help small business—a federal measure, a tax credit, as an example?