Thanks very much to the three witnesses, Ms. Fulton-Breathat, Ms. Recollet and Ms. Wolfe, for their testimony, and in particular their contribution to midwifery.
I'd like to do what I did when we received the previous group of witnesses. You mentioned the importance of having a university outside of Toronto in northern Ontario. I'd like to mention that because we, the Bloc Québécois, naturally give you our full support. My colleague from La Pointe-de-l'Île has made himself clear on this matter, and has shown his full support for the cause.
The situation is extremely shocking and deplorable. We know that the francophone communities cannot really do without university programs in French. It's therefore absolutely essential to do something. You referred to how important this university was for midwives across Canada, and for the francophonie outside the province, because while this university has a strong presence in Ontario, it also serves people in New Brunswick, the Yukon and elsewhere.
I'd also like to point out that this whole incident is being monitored very closely in Quebec. We already have our own legislation on midwifery services. We have a legal and regulatory framework that is supervised by the Ordre des sages-femmes du Québec.
What do you think about the fact that there is a university in northern Ontario with outreach all over the place, even in Témiscamingue, and that it has to handle the relationship with Ottawa? In Quebec, we already have legislation and an association for midwives.
I'd like to hear your comments on this.
Would you like to begin, Ms. Fulton-Breathat?