I think the discussion is the same on the provincial side, and I think the answer is the same when it comes to what can be done on the federal side. I think it is just a matter of a lack of awareness and understanding of the role midwives play in Canada and in the provinces. With proper understanding of the potential contribution of midwives at Laurentian University, it would be difficult to justify abolishing a program. Gender equality is also involved. We have discussed this already with a minister. I generally think that we are given less importance because we are involved in a female occupation.
I want to come back to Mr. Serré's question. At the federal level, it's a matter of not only helping provinces better recognize the role midwives play, but as Ms. Tecson said, the role of midwives should also be better recognized by the federal government. I work on Global Affairs Canada's programs that strengthen midwifery on a global scale. The first thing we do is raise awareness at the federal level in order to integrate midwifery at the administrative level. That is why Ms. James and I asked that a position of federal chief administrator for midwives be created, to have an office that manages anything to do with midwifery.
Global Affairs Canada funds all sorts of innovations abroad, and it could not have that same innovation here, in Canada. That makes no sense. We must work together to innovate well on the federal side to integrate midwifery, which will also strengthen its integration at the provincial level afterwards.