Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would also like, at the outset, to thank Mr. Bédard for sharing his experience with us. Not only is he an independent actuary, given his retiree status, but he is one of the most relevant witnesses with regard to Bill C-56, because I know that he himself was chief actuary for 12 years.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to add that Mr. Bédard's appearance here required a lot of courage, given the climate of adversity that we sense within the committee, on the part of our colleagues. This is deplorable, and I say this to you as a friend. There is a minimum amount of courtesy and respect that we must show to those people who come here to appear before us, unselfishly and with no self-seeking interest.
Mr. Bédard, you say that the costs for Quebec are too high...