Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to begin by first thanking all the witnesses for their very fine presentations. This is obviously an issue that we are all very much concerned about here on the committee. This particular bill is something that also interests the vast majority of members, because it affects a very large percentage of our population. It's something that will affect probably all of us at one time or another.
The whole issue of access to information was certainly something we discussed here at the committee--how we can make sure the different cultural groups, also those who are illiterate, and of course the most marginal people in our society get the information that is needed so that they're aware of the programs that are in place. Mr. Shillington talked at length about the fact that so many of these individuals who are entitled to benefits are not receiving their benefits, probably because a good chunk of them don't know.
Certainly as a member of Parliament I get many constituents coming to see me in my office who have no idea what's out there, not just in terms of the supplement they can get for their pensions, but also in terms of housing and how to apply for these programs. There's a great need for us to assist in educating and providing resources to agencies to do outreach for these people. It's something that greatly concerns me, because if we aren't getting that information out, these people are not fully benefiting from the programs we have out there.
I'd like to see if somebody has any comment on how we can better do outreach to get this information to people.