Thank you, Chair, and thank you to the witnesses this evening.
Mr. Bouka, if I could start with you, I read the briefing you sent us and recognized that during your presentation you talked specifically about addressing systemic racism towards the Black community and indigenous community, and also about the importance of investing in Black businesses. I think that is incredibly important.
I found it interesting in the fiscal update when the government talked about some of its recommendations, some of the ideas it has for moving forward. One of the things I found very interesting was idea of diversity in procurement, and their talking about the Department of Public Services and Procurement actually launching a pilot project to open up bidding opportunities for Black-owned and operated businesses. They referenced building off the successful procurement strategy for aboriginal businesses. I found that interesting because aboriginal businesses, of course, have come forward very recently saying the 5% goal is not even close to being met. In fact, procurement by the government from indigenous businesses is below 1%.
Could you speak to the urgent need to see these issues dealt with and to have support for SMEs and Black-owned businesses to move forward the progressive agenda that really addresses the issue of systemic racism?