Thank you, Minister, for taking the time to come before the committee today.
I want to speak in regard to an issue that I think is important to many Canadian families, single parents, and children across this country, and that is the issue of child care. We know that in 1991 Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 2 of that convention prohibits discrimination of any kind. It says that equitable provision is to be provided, both resources and services, for children. It is one of the core principles stated within the convention, and I think it is a core value for many Canadians.
There was an analysis done by Ken Battle of the Caledon Institute on the new program that the Conservative government introduced of a universal child care benefit, also known as the UCCB. I think all of us around this table know that the $100 was provided to provide a choice for families, for their children. It was quickly discovered that after that $100 was actually put in, after taxes were considered, families were given about $60. And regardless of whether a family was making $100,000 or $10,000, they were getting that same $100 supplement. But the family that was making $100,000 a year was actually getting more benefit, despite the fact that a family or a single parent living in poverty would actually have more challenges in regard to child care.
The Senate then did a report called “Children: The Silenced Citizens” in April 2007. The government issued a response in regard to that. In the response it was stated that the department uses the agreement that was ratified at the Convention on the Rights of the Child to analyze all legislation that pertains or impacts children and Canada's obligations under the convention in regard to the rights of the child.
My question is, was an assessment done in regard to the UCCB in light of the fact that it does discriminate against families? We have a national report card that was issued by many child care organizations across this country, which I'm sure you had a chance to take a look at. I am just quoting from it. It states: “The Universal Child Care Plan isn’t universal—it’s taxable. It’s not child care—it’s unaccountable. There is no plan to expand and improve early learning and child care in Canada” by this Conservative government.
My question, Minister, would be this. Was an assessment done, and could you please provide a copy to the committee of that particular assessment in regard to the UCCB?