Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), we are continuing our study of the federal contribution to reducing poverty in Canada. We are now starting meeting 22, our third meeting of the day here in Halifax, to discuss some of the issues of poverty.
I want to extend warm greetings to all our witnesses and to thank each and every one of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here to talk to us about this issue.
I know that my colleague Mr. Savage will probably echo these comments, but as a little bit of background for you, this is our first run at this study on the road. We've been studying this issue in Ottawa, so we do thank everyone for taking the time to be here.
Mr. Crooks, I want to welcome you here, sir. I understand you're here with the Phoenix Youth Programs. Maybe you could talk a little about what the programs do or what you guys do, before you get into your opening remarks.
I understand that each of you has about five minutes, and we're going to be flexible on that, but we'd love to hear what your organizations do as well, for those of us who are not from the area.
Mr. Crooks, the floor is yours, sir.