Mr. Speaker, the struggles and joys of Canada's home caregivers and those to whom they give care for reasons of infirmity, disability or illness reflect the eloquence of our societal values.
André Picard and his team at The Globe and Mail are to be commended for drawing attention to this issue, the magnitude of which is staggering. Over one million Canadians need help—flexible work time, training, financing, respite and basic services—to cope with the demands of caregiving for their loved ones, most of whom are their parents or spouses. Indeed, governments at all levels have a duty to act and to act promptly.
May the issue ignite and the new social union framework facilitate the creation of a national home care program. To ignore its urgency is to surrender Canadian values at our own peril. The challenge to do good is at hand. We cannot long endure.