Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the four or five times that I've been before this committee, the member and I have had some conversations in this regard. I'll speak specifically to housing as a particular measure. We believe as an industry that a way.... Well, I can give a quick anecdote.

Finance committee  I don't think that builders, for example, all of a sudden saw that one percent as a grab. It will find its way into the economy one way or another. In some cases builders held off on price increases on their houses in anticipation, so it would have worked its way in.

Finance committee  Richard does a lot of renovations and jobs, so maybe we could start with Richard's experience.

Finance committee  In terms of using CMHC's capital or doing different things with CMHC in terms of improving the mortgage-backed security program or eliminating surcharges, whatever CMHC has been doing in terms of their business planning that may have affected mortgage insurance cost would be reflected in what's left with moneys left.

Finance committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the committee. The Canadian Home Builders' Association represents the Canadian residential housing industry of builders, developers, trade contractors, and the like. I'm a home builder and land developer based in Burlington, Ontario, and with me today is Richard Lind, a renovator from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.