Thanks very much for your very worthwhile testimony today.
I'll ask two questions and then get out of the way.
Mr. Beachell, you had referenced the disability savings plan. This is about work for persons with disabilities. I would think a disproportionate amount of the hurt will be laid at the feet of persons with disabilities with the change in the OAS and GIS from 65 to 67 years, especially in light of the hardship they have in securing work. Would you comment on that?
Also do you see the rationale in supporting a change to the disability savings plan to allow.... Right now you can't contribute until you're receiving the benefit, but some families would prefer to be putting money away earlier on for a son or daughter, especially if they have a progressive disease such as cystic fibrosis or MS.
Most times with poverty we see people with disabilities not able to secure work or whatever. As you say, it's complex, and a lot of it goes back to housing, without question.
Are CMHC's program lines flexible enough to support community initiatives? Are the initiatives out there adequate through the support of the federal government to support the community-based initiatives to develop right now? Could you respond to that?