Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This amendment builds on the considerations for determining what is in the best interests of a child. On the basis of a lot of testimony, and of course, how we all feel as individual members of Parliament, we're well aware that indigenous children are apprehended at an alarming rate. I know this is also looking at family law issues, but just to put it in context, we have more indigenous children apprehended now by social services than used to be in residential schools. Therefore, we have an ongoing concern that when decisions are made about what's in the best interests of the child, if that child is an indigenous child, there are other considerations that should be taken into account.
The amendment I'm putting forward here as PV-5 deals with strengthening the determinations of what's in the best interests of the child by adding that, in the case of an indigenous child, the importance of preserving the child's cultural identity, connection to community and rights of indigenous people to raise children in accordance with culture, heritage and traditions be a positive and required consideration. Otherwise, there's no additional lens for the best interests of the child when it's an indigenous child.