Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Ms. Bergeron, for being here virtually.
It's been a very interesting study on green finance. I must admit it wasn't a topic that I knew much about before we embarked on this study.
You talked about affordability in your opening statement. I realize that British Columbia has its own carbon tax. It's not a backstop province.
Recently a Parliamentary Budget Officer came out with a report that basically said the opposite of what the government has been telling us about the affordability of a carbon tax. They've been telling the public that the carbon tax is essentially neutral in terms of their pocketbooks. It's cash in and cash out. The Parliamentary Budget Officer now says that in most provinces, families will be out of pocket over and above the rebates by $1,500 to $1,800.
I'm just wondering if you're concerned about the affordability crisis. Do you think revisions need to be made or that the carbon tax needs to be scrapped in order to ensure that Canadians can afford to eat, heat their homes and make their mortgage payments?