Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important group in our society, a group which often gets overlooked: single parents. Each of us in this House undoubtedly knows at least one single parent. Indeed, some of us are single parents.
Of all the diverse households in Canada, single parents represent 13 per cent of Canada's families. To me they are much more than a simple number on a statistical chart. As parents they play a crucial role in our society. As single parents their job of raising children is made doubly hard. Not only must they nurture and care for their children in an emotional sense, they must also bear the responsibility of supporting their families financially.
Today I would like to recognize one particular single mother who has accomplished both tasks. When my niece became a single mother she decided she was going to take responsibility for her child. As hard as it was, she found a job and is raising her child to be a responsible young person, active in sports and school. She receives moral support from her immediate and extended family but still values her independence.
I would like to commend her and other single parents today.