Mr. Speaker, the hon. member, who is also the Prime Minister's parliamentary secretary, is probably familiar with numerous issues, particularly those which concern the status of women. A document is currently circulating regarding the Labour Code reform.
I remember that when the last such reform took place, in May of 1992 if I am not mistaken, I proposed an amendment so that the same conditions would apply under both the federal and provincial labour codes, regarding precautionary withdrawal of work for pregnant women. The Quebec Labour Code provides that women get paid 95 per cent of their salaries, compared to 60 per cent under the federal code.
That was a housekeeping amendment which, of course, reflected the notion of flexible federalism, and the Liberals, then in opposition, supported that proposal. Consequently, my question to the hon. member is: Now that the Liberals are in office, why is that amendment not included in the proposed Labour Code reform which the government will table in the next few weeks?