Thank you, Madam Chair. I also want to thank you for the good work you have done on our committee. We really appreciate it.
Minister, thank you very much for appearing before us this morning. I also want to thank you for your approach and for the important message you have delivered about all political parties in Parliament needing to work together.
I will utilize a quotation in my first question and, Madam Chair, you'll be happy to hear that it comes from the VP of strategy and partnerships of Engineers Canada. It's from Jeanette Southwood, who indicates:
We are pleased to see Budget 2017's plans to address gender-based challenges by closing the gender wage gap, expanding maternity leave options and implementing flexible work arrangements for federally regulated employees.
Madam Minister, can you expand on some of the highlights of yesterday's budget 2017?