Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), we continue our study on the federal contribution to reducing poverty in Canada. This is committee meeting number 25.
I want to welcome all our guests and witnesses today. Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedules. Thank you for all the work you do on the front lines. We are happy to have you here in Moncton as we move through.
We have been hearing a number of witnesses in Ottawa, but we realize that the real work doesn't happen in Ottawa; it happens out in the ridings, out in the various parts of the country.
We started yesterday in Halifax. We are here today in Moncton, and then tomorrow we'll be in Montreal.
As I said, we want to thank you for taking the time. We are interested in hearing what your stories are about, what is going on, what's working, and what suggestions we can take back and look at.
The way things will work today is this. I'm going to start over on my right-hand side. Bernard, we are going to start with you and work across the row of witnesses. We are going to ask for five minutes each, and then we are going to have a couple of rounds of questioning. If you don't get a chance to talk about all the things you were hoping to, they will probably be brought up in some of the questions and answers.
I'll identify each of you. We'll have a timer here, just so that we understand where we are. You don't need to touch the microphones; they're going to be operated for you.
The last thing I want to mention is with respect to translation. For those who need translation, such as me, English is on channel 16 and French is on channel 17. Some questions will be asked and/or answered in French. Please feel free to speak in your natural, native tongue.
I am going to start with Bernard Richard, ombudsman and child and youth advocate, who is here as an individual.
Sir, welcome. You have five minutes. The floor is yours.