Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I would also like to thank our guests for joining us today.
In your opening remarks you referred to three thematic priorities, one of those being the well-being of children and youth. With a particular focus on child survival, including maternal health, access to quality education, and safety and security, I, for one, am extremely proud of the leadership provided by the Government of Canada to both G-8 and non-G-8 countries, and leaders of countries, to support maternal and child health through the Muskoka initiative. In CIDA's most recent statistical report on international assistance, 2010-11, it was noted:
Every year, an estimated 350,000 women die in childbirth and pregnancy in the developing world and eight million children die before their fifth birthday. At the 2010 G-8 Summit, Canada committed $1.1 billion of new funding to the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in 2010, in addition to existing funding.
I had assumed that these main estimates provided support to maternal and child health, and I guess you confirmed this in your opening remarks when you stated that there was increased funding for this program. I'm just wondering if you would tell us a little bit about that, and provide us with an update on this program.