Just to whip right through some of those points, a lot of female entrepreneurs are in the home because they want to be with their children. Child care does not address their need.
On the EI flexibility, have you considered having a man's contribution qualify the wife to be at home with the child? Hers qualifies him, because the child is both of theirs.
I spoke on a New York talk show. With regard to the pension question, they apparently give pensions for soldier years because that was service to the nation. The government pays those pension benefits. It could be something we could think about. Parenting is a societal benefit, and maybe the state should pay the contributor's portion during those early years of the child.
I even talked to Paul Martin on a radio show. I couldn't believe it. I said, “Would you let us contribute?” No. We're not allowed to contribute, as homemakers. They won't even take our money, so that's how low we're considered. We have to fix that problem.
If you'll give me one more second, the reason I stayed home with my children was to provide early education. Even though day cares provide it, all parents provide it, and some of us provide the absolute Cadillac version. That's why we're home.