Thank you, Cheri.
I might say what is most important, and that is what I think you'll find on slide 15.
What I hope you all see at this point is that negotiated agreements are and will remain at the core of how the federal government will work with provincial, territorial and indigenous partners to implement a Canada-wide system of early learning and child care. They are short-term by intention, enabling signatories the flexibility to reflect and to correct their course as the Canada-wide system evolves. Their associated action plans build in the possibility to articulate even shorter-term investment plans and expected results.
The proposed legislation, on the other hand, looks beyond the short term and toward future generations of families and children. Complementing the agreements, the legislation affirms a sustained and ongoing federal commitment to building a Canada-wide early learning and child care system alongside provinces, territories and indigenous partners. In doing so, the proposed legislation would establish in law the federal goals and commitments with respect to a Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
The bill was drafted to fully respect provincial and territorial jurisdiction and indigenous rights, including the right to self-determination. This includes not imposing conditions on provincial and territorial governments and indigenous peoples. Rather, this bill has been developed to complement and support—not replace or supersede—the Canada-wide agreements with provinces and territories and funding agreements with indigenous partners.
Overall, the legislation represents a significant step forward in demonstrating the federal government's long-term commitment to early learning and child care and continued collaboration with provinces, territories and indigenous peoples. Overall, as I hope I've communicated, this is an exercise in collaboration, and it is truly in that spirit that we welcome the committee's study.
We'd be pleased to answer questions. Thank you.