Thank you very much. I'll be relatively quick, mainly because I want to answer some of your questions for clarification.
I'm a pediatric orthopedic surgeon by training. I'm Royal College trained. I actually deal with critically ill children, and that's where some of this definition comes from.
To go through your questions in pretty rapid succession, because it was not my intent to answer your questions here--that's not how we usually do things--I encourage you to read the act, because these questions are answered there.
First, the labour minister, as she mentioned in committee last week, has spoken with other jurisdictions.
Second, with respect to foul play, it's very clearly outlined in the legislation that law enforcement officers will make a determination of whether they think the child is a runaway or an individual who is murdered or missing, and therefore the decision will be made on the side of murdered or missing.
With respect to critically ill children, that will be determined by a physician, a sub-specialized physician within the hospital setting.
With respect to the age of 18, it's based on a standard that children's hospitals have set across the country, in fact across North America. In addition to that, it's based on our other benefits that we provide to children. Whether that be the national child benefit or otherwise, we have a standard and that's what we're setting. It also matches those of children's hospitals across the country.
With respect to counselling parents, for murdered and missing there's an additional two weeks after your child is found in order for the parents to reunite with their families, and they would be eligible for the benefit. With respect to the issue of compassionate care associated with this benefit, they can be stacked. You can receive compassionate care plus the critically ill benefit, so that you can use them in combination.
In respect of your issue with respect to communication, you're here because we need you to talk to families. We don't sit in the hospital setting. We don't see families every day. You do exactly that, and we need your help to make sure you tell every family you communicate with, every family you touch, about this benefit so they can benefit from it.
I'll let Mr. Shory continue with the questions.