I think there are times in politics when things get done, and I think Bill C‑222 is an opportunity to address a lot of bereaved parents.
What I fear is that we will miss this opportunity to pass such an amendment, regardless of its wording. We don't give ourselves credit for having perfect wording. We know how hard it can be to get a bill before a parliamentary committee. We see that as the main risk. If we don't seize the moment now to also talk about caregiver benefits, which, as I told you, are accessible mainly to parents, other family members or loved ones, we won't seize it otherwise.
In addition, this is particularly important. Don't get me wrong, this is not a Quebec-Canada issue. That's not what I'm trying to say at all. However, the fact remains that the bill as it stands now will have little effect in Quebec, because we already have such a system.
Caregiver benefits, on the other hand, are Canada-wide. By passing this amendment, you can create a solution for bereaved parents across Canada who receive caregiver benefits for children under 18. We're talking about a measure that would apply to more parents in Canada and a significant proportion of parents in Quebec. I feel that this is our chance.
I would also like to say that, beyond my work as a lawyer, I have some expertise in caregiving. I co-wrote an essay on the issue with Maude Pelletier-Smith, who is like a sister to me.
What we are seeing, in fact, is that a fairly significant number of family caregivers are becoming poorer in these situations. Their impoverishment is compounded by the fact that, as with parental benefits, as soon as the child dies, they are no longer entitled to benefits. It's over. There are a lot of parents, by the way, who don't know that they can receive sickness benefits afterwards or who simply don't have the time or mental space to apply for them. That is quite normal, I think, because their grief is more than a full-time job at that point.