Thank you, Chair, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today.
First and foremost, I want to express a huge thanks for all the work you're doing to protect our coasts, working on such a shoestring budget. It's clear that there have been many challenges in being able to do the work that you're doing. It is incredible what you're able to accomplish.
I also want to thank you for your ongoing efforts to collaborate together. I'm impressed by the work that's coming out of the BC Marine Debris Working Group, and your ongoing efforts to collaborate amongst one another as organizations that are doing this work, but also to collaborate and communicate with the Coast Guard and all those involved, in particular with those who are contracted to take on this work by the shipper.
I'm hearing, from everybody I've spoken to so far, about the challenges in having a shipper contract an organization to do the cleanup that does not understand the landscape in which they're working and that is not communicating effectively with those who are on the ground, the first nations and organizations like yours.
This question could perhaps go to Ms. Wristen.
We heard from the Coast Guard officials about wanting to work alongside first nations. However, we saw a big disconnect, for example, with communications with the Quatsino First Nation in the first few weeks.
I'm wondering if you can speak to this and the challenges, please.