Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. And I'm very happy to have gotten this question on the floor because I think it's an important conversation.

I absolutely do not subscribe to the notion that artists must be starving artists. I never have subscribed to that and believe wholeheartedly that regardless of whether or not it is an elder participating in a cultural day at a school or it is somebody delivering a community performance or it is somebody who is, you know, sewing mitts, all form of arts and crafts and performances and film and writing all have value. Whether or not somebody is actually monetizing them or not, that skill still has value to it. And I think that as artists, we need to ensure that that value is upheld and that respect for the industry is upheld. And so whether or not that is in ECE or ITI, it would still have that same mentality that if you are a painter and you are doing something on the side of a building to increase the vibrancy of your community, your work and your skill has value. And so I just want to start off by saying that.

The other thing, though, that I think the Member is actually after here is reassurance that the MOU with the Canada Council for the Arts will absolutely continue regardless of what department this funding is found in. Thank you.