I'd like to call this meeting to order.
As we continue with our study on the federal contribution towards reducing poverty in Canada, I want to welcome the witnesses and thank them for making themselves available today. I know there always seems to be a “hurry up and let's wait” type of attitude up here in Parliament, but we started this study last year and we're back into it now. We appreciate your making your schedules available for today.
I do believe we have the Caledon Institute of Social Policy today, so we have Mr. Battle and Ms. Torjman. We have Mr. Sharpe from the Centre for the Study of Living Standards.
Welcome today.
As well, we have Mr. Roberts from the Canadian Policy Research Networks. We also have with us Mr. Williamson and Ms. Pollack.
Thank you very much for being here today.
I believe you each have some statements to begin with. If you could keep them to about 10 minutes, that would be great. I know there will be some questions that come out of those afterwards.
We'll start with the rounds. We'll start with the Caledon Institute.
You have 10 minutes, and once again, thank you for being here. We look forward to your comments.