Maurice Vellacott at the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee

Welcome. We will begin now, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), a study of the federal contribution to reducing poverty in Canada.

We will proceed with five minutes each. Mario will be starting. Naumana will be next, and then John, and across the table. You'll take five minutes each, maximum. The little buzzer will go off. We'll give you a little leeway if you need it.

Then we'll come around to questions, with Maria taking seven minutes for questions, and so on around the table. They'll direct their questions to one of you or to all of you, as they choose.

Let's begin with Mario, who is the executive director of COSTI. I understand that COSTI is the largest immigrant service helping organization in the country.

Please go ahead, Mario.