Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for being here today.
There has been talk about pan-Canadian initiatives, and I'd like to seek your views on the fact that the government has invested over $1 billion in public health across the country. We also had some mention about disseminating information on cancer--for example, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, which is a unique structure that has the buy-in and participation of all the cancer agencies in Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society, the cancer care community in each province. They are tasked with doing exactly that. Part of their mandate is ensuring best practice and disseminating information. I wonder if you could comment on that.
We also have the cardiovascular steering committee, which is coming up with a plan that will likely be similar to the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. They're meeting right now. So there is activity taking place in that realm.
Moreover, there is also the Mental Health Commission-- $100 million going into mental health. And though it's a taboo subject, it's something that affects one in four Canadians at least once in their life. It's very important. I'd be interested in your comments on that and perhaps the unintended positive consequences of these types of programs.
I also have a question for Ms. Besner. On page 2 of your report, you talk about the Kelowna communiqué. Could you explain the difference between a communiqué and an accord?