Amendment BQ‑5 moves that Bill C‑35, in the preamble, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 1 the following:
Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes the unique and leading-edge expertise of the Government of Quebec in the development and implementation of accessible and affordable educational child care services, that government having developed an innovative child care model in 1997 as part of its comprehensive family policy designed to give Quebec families a better work– or study-life balance, access to generous maternity and parental leaves, and services that are suited to self-employed workers and those with atypical hours of work;
This amendment is important for guiding interpretations of this bill and the actions that will result from it. Our amendment clearly enshrines in the bill Quebec's historical capacity and expertise with respect to its jurisdiction and family policy. I urge all my colleagues to support it.