Mr. Speaker, the best interests of children should be a benchmark against which government policies are measured. There is no better way to ensure the well-being of children than to make families a priority in our society and in our decision making starting right here in the House, this home of Canadian values, if you will.
Today is National Child Day. I remind this House that in 1989 the United Nations passed the convention of the child which gave children around the world access to their families. Canada recognized that convention in 1991, so why do Canadian children not have access to their families?
The best interests of children reside in the family. The first step was taken in October when the House supported my motion to recognize the family as a building block of society and then unanimously agreed to protect and enhance family interests.
Now is the time for the government to fulfil this commitment on behalf of children, to commit to a fresh start for children. Surely on National Child Day it is not only time to acknowledge each child's right to his or her family, including grandparents, but also time to act on it.