Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, David, for a thorough examination of all the ways the federal sphere could be brought to bear on public transit.
I know your organization is very much in favour of promoting effective and efficient transportation of people, because it protects the environment, conserves energy, promotes effective land use, and supports economic growth. One of the things we've been talking about in the House of Commons recently is economic growth and economic activity.
The Board of Trade in Toronto estimates that $6 billion worth of productivity is lost because people are stuck in traffic. They don't need to be stuck; they could be riding efficient, modern transit systems.
Do you think having a national transit strategy would be an effective way of increasing our economic productivity, our international competitiveness, and improving our quality of life?