Thank you, Mr. Chair.
For those Canadians who have not been able to meet us in person or send their ideas online, there is still some time. They have until midnight tonight to get in touch through the budget.gc.ca website, or on Twitter using #pbc16, or on the “Your Money Matters” Facebook page.
I'd like to thank all of those who have contributed to the pre-budget consultations, whether in person, by mail, or online. Of course I'd like to also thank the members of this committee. In my estimation, this input is vital in ensuring that Canadians can help direct and focus the decisions that the government will take with respect to budget 2016.
I'm here to tell you, and of course to tell Canadians, that we're listening. I believe the broad reach and engagement during the pre-budget consultations and the upcoming federal budget are proof. While the pre-budget consultation period is drawing to a close, the advice we've received from Canadians is clear. We've found that Canadians want to contribute to finding a better way and better lives for themselves, their communities, and their country, and they want to be involved in finding solutions.
As you can see by the information and input we've already provided to the committee, and from your own hearings, Canadians want us to continue to help the middle class, help those who need it most, and make smart and well-timed strategic investments in roads, bridges, transit—things to get people to jobs faster—while making our communities greener. I look forward to working with you in all of the coming weeks, months, and years ahead to act on what we've heard from Canadians and to make better decisions as a result.
With that, Mr. Chair, I am happy to take questions from the committee.