Of course I would support a principle of having surety, because in this day and age, can we still come down to a point of trust among each other as governments? I think you said no matter which government is in place. I think it's paramount.
What I want to make clear is this. I don't want any change to the legislation if it's going to hold back the bill. If the bill is going to move forward with agreement of all parties—especially the sitting government—and they're okay to put the clause in there, and it wouldn't hold back legislation or make change, then I would support it.
However, I'll make it clear—and, Rachel, I think your question is very important—right now the formula in Manitoba, even in the mandated agency, is based completely on the whim of government.
In our agencies, the ratio is 700:1. If you have more than 700:1, a new agency should be evolving. In one of our agencies, we have over 1,200 in that agency, which is 500 over and above the requirement.
The ratio is also 25:1, client base to social worker. We're surpassing that, and we're going back to the danger zones of 30, 35 or 40:1, and that's scary stuff. Kevin raised the issue that 3.5 staff to watch all these foster homes is unbelievable.
There are no provisions in the legislation in Manitoba pertaining to funding. It's based completely on the whim of a government. If there are provisions here, as long as they doesn't hold up the act, I am all for it, and I definitely would support it.