Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I would like to again thank all our witnesses for being here. This is my first year on the Standing Committee on Finance and I have never seen a group of business people so concerned about other issues and not just profitability. I commend you.
Mr. Schemmer, before asking the business people some questions, I would like to mention that I am well aware of the work done for years by your national organization, the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation. I am very interested in hearing about your concerns with respect to international development and the fact that Canada must play a greater role in that area.
Mr. Holden, it is very encouraging to hear that a board of trade is concerned abut the triple bottom line.
Several of you mentioned the issue of transportation and noted just how important it is for the federal government to continue investing in public transit. I completely agree with you.
I would also like to thank Mr. Albas for his comments about electric vehicles. I have owned a hybrid car for 10 years, and so I really understand what he is saying. Public transit is of great importance to me, and I work hard in my riding to ensure that the federal government invests in public transit. I realize that this is an important issue.
That said, my two questions are for Mr. Lammam and Mr. Black.
Mr. Lammam, I have read the publications of the Fraser Institute, a highly respected organization, for quite some time. I appreciate your concerns as well. I would like to ask you a few questions about carbon pricing. You stated that this will pose a challenge for Canadian businesses. You also mentioned that Australia would cancel the carbon pricing established by a previous government. Is there a way to link the economy and the environment? In my opinion, there seems to be a general movement in the industrialized world towards imposing carbon pricing. Some say that if people want to make a profit, let them make as much profit as they can. However, I believe that we should instead determine how to use the economy to ensure the development of a sustainable economy.
Mr. Black, once again, you spoke about public transportation, affordable housing, and the importance of investing in postsecondary education. I am certain that you are aware of the fact that the federal government quite recently, in late 2016 and early 2017, committed to investing in affordable housing. I would like you to comment on this and to tell us how this is a key issue here in British Columbia.