A number of the presenters this afternoon have mentioned that we want to use Canadians' dollars effectively.
Mr. Finnie, you used the phrase, “I don't think Canadians want money thrown down a well”.
Mr. deGroot-Maggetti, you called for a strategic approach. I think that's the same idea, something that's focused on getting results.
I'm wondering if we can have all the presenters comment on whether or not they think it would be worthwhile for this committee to seek consensus as to a definition of what poverty actually is. Some of you have said we can use all the measures; let's work together; let's not get bogged down with that. Would it not be beneficial if, as a government, we were able to establish some guidelines that would say yes, this is the consensus? It might be a combination of all the formulas. I'm not sure what it would be. Would you agree that having a consensus on what poverty is would help us focus our policies and our initiatives to actually see if they're effective, to actually see if we're making progress?
From year to year, without being able to recognize the problem, we're not able to solve the problem. We can't provide the policies that are necessary to see if they're actually effective.
Mr. Chair, I know I have little time.