Thank you to all of our witnesses this morning. These are very interesting conversations.
Our committee is here to come up with a strategy, to help our minister develop a national poverty reduction strategy. Ultimately, that's why we are here, and that's why as witnesses you are testifying or presenting before us, to help us come up with that plan.
Ms. Flanagan, first I want to congratulate you on what I think is a wonderful organization doing many great things. We are strong proponents here—I am, for sure—of early learning and how important it is to break that barrier, to break that line of poverty, if you will. We see so many programs out there that I call band-aids. They don't really get to the root of the problem, which is early learning.
There is a program in Saint John called Sistema, which encourages youth to participate and learn culturally and build relationships through orchestra.
My first question for you is, how do you see us, as a federal government, working with Actua, helping you increase the programs so that even more youth can participate? What can we do federally to help you?