moved for leave to introduce Bill C-204, an act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (parental benefits).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to reintroduce Bill C-449 which was first introduced into the House on October 27, 1998.
The 1996 national longitudinal survey on children and youth found that 25% of Canadian children enter adult life with significant emotional, behavioural, academic or social problems. Therefore investing in early childhood development, particularly in the first year, is an imperative not an option.
The bill responds in part to the need to provide more flexibility, options and choices to parents by amending the Employment Insurance Act to provide up to one full year of maternity and parental leave benefits under that act.
I am pleased to reintroduce the bill and I hope we will have the support of the entire House.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)