Let's step back. Why do we have maternity benefits? It's a program, I presume, that says if you can't work for a period of time because you're a new parent—narrowly, it's for mothers, and then more broadly for mothers and fathers—we are going to provide some income support for you so that you don't become destitute while becoming a new parent. There's a need for this. Is the need only for people who work in paid employment and not for people who are self-employed?
On February 26th, 2009. See this statement in context.