Thanks very much, Chair.
I would first like to welcome all the witnesses. I think on this committee we have a great wealth of knowledge on municipal infrastructure and politics, and now today we have an overwhelming number of people who have been involved in municipal politics for a long time. It's great to have such great witnesses here.
I'll direct my first question to Mr. Smith and maybe Mr. Demers. When I was on council in Barrie, many times we talked about our infrastructure deficit. We called it almost a looming cliff that was going to be approaching us quickly. I'm sure Mr. Smith and Mr. Demers have heard this from many of their members, so maybe they could express what they're hearing from their municipalities on the size of the infrastructure deficit and how that will be impacting municipalities in the near future.