Thanks very much, Mr. Chair.
Thanks to all our witnesses for being here today. We hope that your families are safe and healthy.
This is the federal finance committee, and we know that the federal government gets the majority, the bulk, of tax dollars in this country. It's very appropriate that we have this session today. My questions, of course, will be addressed to two hard-working local mayors who have been putting in time, basically 24-7, since the beginning of this pandemic. I have a question for Mayor Hurley and a question for Mayor Coté to start.
For Mayor Hurley, you mentioned the wage subsidy and the fact that it doesn't apply to municipalities, despite the fact that there have been repeated calls for that to happen. How important is it that the wage subsidy also be available to municipalities? How should it be implemented when it comes to cities?
For Mayor Coté, you've spoken very eloquently about the impacts on the transit system in the Lower Mainland. If the federal government does not provide supports, what are the long-term implications coming out of the pandemic for transit systems both in the Lower Mainland and right across the country?