Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I echo my colleagues' comments in welcoming you all here today, albeit by Zoom for many of you. Mr. Girard, welcome to the room.
My first question will be for Ms. Furlong.
Firstly, congratulations on almost reaching 100 years. I'm sure you're busy preparing for that celebration.
In a previous meeting, we heard from witnesses that the carbon tax rebate in the amount of $2.5 billion has been withheld by the current government from small and medium-sized businesses across Canada. Now, in budget 2024, they indicated that they plan to finally return the money to these small businesses.
The budget says:
Budget 2024 proposes to urgently return fuel charge proceeds from 2019-20 through 2023-24 to an estimated 600,000 businesses, with 499 or fewer employees
I'm wondering if you could comment on the impact—or any feedback you've received on the impact—of the carbon tax, whether or not your members are aware of this newfound urgency to return this money to them and the process for doing so.