Absolutely, and I thank my colleague for being one of those good men without whom the work of gender equality would not be as effective, and for being there at the UN Commission for the Status of Women. I was truly proud that there were over 200 of us there and that there were so many male allies as part of the Canadian delegation.
I can tell you, broadly, a little bit about what this particular budget proposes. What you see in the budget is a direct reflection of what we've all heard from Canadians, and what history teaches us, that when you improve things for women and girls, you've improved outcomes for communities. When you enhance their economic potential, you've increased economic growth for everyone.
Let's talk about the economic fund. Investments in early learning and child care to support access to child care to allow greater participation in work, education, or training for mothers, but also for fathers or parents of different genders, will make a difference. It means that parents have that flexibility and the choice to focus on their families and their careers at the same time.
We also know that aside from caring for their children, women are often the caregivers for other members of the family. You've heard from the sandwich generation often, I'm sure, people who are not only caring for themselves and their partners and their own children, but find themselves, in our aging society, looking after their parents. A new EI caregiving benefit, which will allow more caregivers—the majority of whom are women—the ability to balance their work and family responsibilities. It is among the themes that we heard at the UN and at doorsteps.
And yes, we have recognized the right to request flexible work arrangements for federally regulated employees, with flexible start and finish times, the ability to work from home, and new unpaid leave to help manage family responsibilities. It is about recognizing that the family dynamics in Canada have changed and will continue to change.
This is recognizing that some children come home from school at 2:30, but the work hours don't end at 2:30. Parents want to see their kids grow up, and grandparents want to see their grandchildren grow up. That flexibility, and allowing that flexibility within federally regulated workplaces is the federal government taking the lead, and leading by example. It is recognizing that when people are experiencing healthier and happier home lives, they are stronger contributors to their work life and to our economy broadly.
There is also investment in innovation and infrastructure. There is investment in things like affordable housing and, of course, addressing and preventing gender-based violence, but these are a few of the highlights in the budget that we know will make a lasting impact.