Finance committee  The green and inclusive community buildings program has been an incredibly impactful program for Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada, supporting families with sick children; however, it is an imprecise tool. We are part of the GICBP and are grateful recipients of funding through that program.

Finance committee  What many across the country don't realize is that two-thirds of Canadians live outside a city with a children's hospital. While we can often plan for elder care, nobody expects to be in the sudden and unexpected situation of having to heal a sick child. With a child being part of a family unit of support and healing, when a child falls critically ill or is injured, that whole family must essentially uproot from their home community and travel to one of 16 specialty hospitals in Canada to seek that pediatric care.

Finance committee  Thank you for the question. Yes. To date, the GICB program has supported two Ronald McDonald House expansions—one in Ottawa that is currently under way, and a new house announced just yesterday in Halifax with 36 bedrooms, which will open later this year. We have an ambitious goal.

Finance committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. My name is Kate Horton. I'm the president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. Mr. Chair, when a child becomes sick, the whole family hurts, and we know that when families stay together, sick children get stronger.