Thank you very much.
Ms. van den Berg and Mr. Kelly, you both indicated very passionately and eloquently the importance of providing supports for the small business sector.
I see first-hand here in New Westminster—Burnaby what the impacts have been on small businesses and restaurants in our area. They are really struggling to get through this pandemic, and they are very apprehensive about a third wave.
In its summary statement, the fiscal update that was presented in November has massive cutbacks in government supports over the course of this year, from April 1 to March 31. Basically, program expenses are slashed in half.
I want to ask the two of you, because you have spoken about providing those supports for a pandemic that will certainly be lasting for another year. How important is it that we put supports in place for the restaurant industry and for small businesses, so as many of those businesses as possible make it through the pandemic?