Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government continues to arrogantly and disdainfully say no to young Quebec families, preferring to satisfy its need for maintaining a high profile rather than support a parental leave program on which there is a very strong consensus in Quebec.
Why does the federal government insist on treating a woman who has given birth to a child the same as a person who has lost his or her job?
How can this government continue to claim that extension of parental leave from six months to one year is a good thing, when people on that leave will have to live on 55% of their salary?
What virtual world is the Prime Minister living in, when he refuses to understand that young families with a new-born child will find it very difficult to take advantage of this new legislation, since they will not be able to live for a year on half-salary?
This is a battle we would no longer have to fight if Quebec were sovereign. We could then use our tax dollars according to the needs and priorities of Quebecers.