Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for coming this morning.
I wanted to frame the way we hear requests for more money. We hear that a lot. I represent 107,000 northern British Columbians who work very hard for their money. They're usually dual-income homes, and average about $70,000 to $80,000 per household per year. They can afford a modest home. I'm concerned that they're finding it more and more difficult to afford a house and sustain their lifestyle. The government keeps asking for more money, more tax dollars, money for different reasons. Whether it's a carbon tax, etc., it's all on the shoulders of Joe and Jane Taxpayer.
I want to use that as a framework to ask my next questions. Mr. Distasio, you say billions have been spent studying poverty reduction. If you were in our decision-making seats, what would you do to reduce programs that are ineffective? Do you see any government programs that are targeted to reduce poverty that are ineffective?