Finance committee  When a spinal cord injury occurs, the consequences are catastrophic. People suffer and their families suffer. This is both physical as well as emotional, social and economic. Resources indicate that health care in Canada for individuals with spinal cord injuries—those who are newly injured or those who are already in that situation—apparently represent a total cost of $3.5 billion a year.

Finance committee  Thank you.

Finance committee  Thank you.

Finance committee  I'm very pleased to appear here this morning. I won't make my entire presentation. I work for the Rick Hansen Institute and I'm a member of the board of directors. Major investments have been made in our institute. Our goal in creating the Rick Hansen Institute was also to pursue the work undertaken by Rick Hansen.

Finance committee  Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Standing Committee on Finance, I would like to thank you for having invited us here today to speak to you about the Rick Hansen Institute, in Vancouver, and also to give us an opportunity to tell you about some of our accomplishments. Thanks to investments from the federal government and other financial partners, Canada has become a leader in treatment and care for the spinal cord and spinal cord injuries.

Finance committee  Oh, I see.

Finance committee  I will include that in the responses