Thank you very much, Chairperson.
I'll just speak briefly to it. I thank you for your ruling.
This bill has had a long history, that's for sure. I know Mr. Komarnicki has had issues with the bill. I would say this: if you look at the bill in its overall context, the real drive of this bill is for the federal government to bring together the partners, whether they're provinces, territories, first nations, or municipalities. It's to basically then attempt to devise a plan. There's nothing that is mandatory in that sense.
Even this clause amendment today can be viewed in that context, that this is about bringing the partners together to actually devise a strategy. Then there has to be an agreement whether or not they go ahead with it.
I feel that the bill is very realistic, and this particular amendment deals with the specifics of Quebec. I would also add that you can look at any number of bills or agreements that have taken place, whether it's the social union framework, whether it's the 2004 action plan on health care that dealt with the question of Quebec, or whether it's the national child benefit. There are many examples where there has been an understanding within legislation or agreements about the programs and the jurisdiction of Quebec. So I feel this amendment is no different in that regard.
I think the amendment today is very adequate because it makes it clear that Quebec, as a party to the international covenant, may participate in the benefits and make its own choices, as you've outlined, Madam Chair.
Hopefully we'll vote on this. There's tremendous support for this bill across the country from groups like the YWCA, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities—it's a very substantial list—and they want to see the federal government work with the other partners to devise a strategy. This amendment will help ensure that happens.