Thank you very much to all of you for being here today. We greatly appreciate it.
I am a fellow with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, so thank you, Ms. Fréchette, for coming.
There's one thing I want to say before I ask you my question, just so we're clear on the record with regard to jurisdictional issues with respect to physicians. Let's be very clear: the provinces create the spots for residents, whether those are Canadian-trained or physicians from overseas. We as a federal government have no capability to intervene in that. It's a completely provincial jurisdiction.
I'd like to ask a question of all of you, really, to get a sense from your standpoint of the skill shortages we're looking at for the health sector overall. I recognize that, as stated, I don't have any problems getting access to a dentist, but maybe you foresee challenges in the future. Maybe you could address some of those areas you've spoken of, whether it be children, aboriginals, or individuals who are low income, with respect to this question.
What do you see as the top three barriers to making sure we have an adequate supply, whether it be physicians, dentists, or the technical people who your health professionals deal with on a daily and regular basis in order to do their jobs? I know I need a dental hygienist every time I go to a dentist's office. There is significant support staff for health care professionals.
What are those key barriers that you foresee would contribute to those shortages or to the lack of health care professionals being available to Canadians?