Thank you.
The big city mayors have urged Ottawa to share a penny of the GST. I was curious to know your response or reaction to the decision of the 22 largest mayors in the country to put forward that concept.
Also, while you're thinking about that answer, perhaps you wouldn't mind responding to the request by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities that they be given some sort of permanent position or “seat at the table”; I think that's the term that's often used. As you well understand, Minister, the moneys that get spent under a federal-provincial-municipal agreement require that a third of the money come from a local municipality or a community.
I'm wondering what your opinion is on that subject.