Mr. Speaker, the United Nations has proclaimed 1994 the International Year of the Family.
Communities and organizations including governments around the world are planning activities this year to recognize the importance of the family today.
The UN refers to the family as a basic unit of society which is appreciated for its fundamental role in the building of a society as well as for the important socioeconomic functions that it performs.
In spite of the many challenges it has undergone, the family continues to provide the natural framework for the emotional, financial and material support essential to the growth of its members, particularly children, and for the care of other dependents including the elderly, the disabled and the infirm.
The family continues to play an important role in preserving and promoting the cultural values we all cherish.
The family teaches, trains and motivates its members, and contributes to the progress of our society.
I am proud of what is being done by the government to improve those structures the family needs, and there was proof of further progress in the Throne Speech yesterday.