Thank you.
Let me say to the representative from the Canadian Council of Chief Executives that I appreciated your presentation, but I was disappointed, frankly, that you took a personal run at somebody who simply has the courage to stand up and voice an opinion that is different from yours. I didn't think that was called for, but it's your time and you can do with it what you will.
Your Worship, I'd like to direct a couple of questions towards you. Let me just say that you and I have spent some time in this business together and I would never have had the courage to move to the level of politics that you have. I've always said that municipal politics has to be the toughest level. You're the closest to the electors, to the taxpayers, and you have less control over the revenues that you are able to generate. Let me say that I admire the work that you and other members of the FCM are doing.
I wanted to ask you to speak to some degree on item number four in those seven principles, with respect to the public interest, and I know that some of your members have mentioned being able to protect the public interest. I know that it's an issue of some sensitivity around the whole procurement issue. I wonder if you feel that you're being listened to and what your sense is about how this matter will move forward in these negotiations.