Thank you very much, Chair.
Good evening to both our witnesses today. Thank you for your input.
I might start with Mr. Byers, if I could.
Sir, I read your statement on your website, and I have to say I was very impressed. A couple of things jumped out at me—many things did, but two in particular. I'd be remiss, of course, if I didn't point out the foresight your organization had in diversifying your revenue streams through projects like your retail mall and your pharmacy, some of which you touched on in your opening remarks.
Personally, I believe that reconciliation also includes economic reconciliation. It includes self-sufficiency, and I think the government has a role to play where it can assist indigenous communities to create their own jobs, their own wealth, their sense of ownership, some of which you touched on in your opening statement. A lot of it is behind your philosophy, which your organization represents.
The second one seems to be the real sense that your organization isn't just about building houses. It's also committed to building a community as a whole and ensuring there's a strong relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous people. You probably don't know, but I was the critic for Crown-indigenous relations not too long ago, and through that process I became quite aware that we're in a time of change, not just COVID-related, but with Canada's relationship with its indigenous peoples. As you mentioned, CMHC's long-term operating agreements are expiring, and for more communities economic reconciliation and true self-sufficiency are becoming a reality. I think there's a real drive to have strategies that address reconciliation that are truly led by indigenous peoples.
Maybe I'll stop wasting my time talking here and ask you some questions.
With respect to indigenous housing, sir, were you contacted to be part of the national housing strategy?