Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The minister did conduct a consultation in the fall, and yes, that was one of the things that was ongoing at the same time as my bill. I was very encouraged by the results that came forward. Based on my notes, 56% of the participants in that consultation were in favour of the government's encouraging employers to make changes to modify workplace conditions, and 64% of the participants in the consultation would prefer seeing the EI maternity benefits become more flexible, for people to be able to coordinate how they're going to take their leave.
I like to think that perhaps the discussion around my bill helped the minister initiate the consultation. I think the evidence is clear that people are looking for this, and that's why you're seeing it come through, I believe, in the budget, because the budget is supportive of making it more flexible.