Thank you, Ms. Blackstock and Mr. Saulis, for being here today to assist us with our study that deals, as you know, with federal support measures for adoptive parents. As you may already see me coming, I will try to bring the discussion back to the subject of our study. I believe you also deal with it, Ms. Blackstock in the brief you submitted.
Your report includes a statement that echoes what you raised earlier:
There is an acknowledgment that the birth parent has a special and unique gift to contribute to the child that cannot be provided by other community members, so active steps are taken to ensure the child knows his or her parents, extended family and clan.
You emphasize repeatedly this sense of belonging that must accompany the child until adulthood, in terms of his or her place of origin and especially his birth parents.
My first question is directed at both of you. Regarding this concern you have about providing support to a family in order for the child to be able to stay in that home, what are those concrete measures that could be taken within the federal jurisdiction, as far as you know?
You say in your report and our analysts have also reminded us of this: since 1951, powers have been delegated to provinces, especially in the areas of health, welfare, education, but also partly in the area of adoption. I would like to hear your views on this.
What are the very specific services on which we should focus that would be part of the federal government's responsibilities?