Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being here today. It's so nice to see you here healthy and well.
In your announcement this week, you indicated, of course, that you're providing a one-time increase to OAS and GIS, but many seniors receiving these payments aren't struggling financially due to COVID-19, given that seniors can receive OAS with an annual taxable income of up to $128,137. As Conservatives, we're very concerned about the deficit coming out of this. We're already at $252 billion, with a debt of $1 trillion. My colleague previously indicated that we have put forward policy options regarding both RRIFs and RRSPs.
Following an idea that we have seen in major media this week after your announcement.... The Globe and Mail, as well as academics out of the University of Waterloo, for example.... What is the rationale for providing this tax-free benefit so broadly, including to high-income seniors who may not be experiencing financial hardship?