Mr. Speaker, there are an estimated 30,000 adoptable children in Canada. That is why economic action plan 2013 takes action to expand the adoption expenses tax credit. However, there is more we can do.
Following on my unanimous Motion No. 386 and a study of federal supports for adoptive parents and children in 2010, this fall I will table a motion for a national adoption action plan to do the following: accurately measure, not estimate, the problem; start a conversation, including provinces and territories, to boost annual domestic adoptions above 5,000; improve supports to adoptive parents and children; promote adoption, from infants to teens; and track our results regularly.
Every Canadian child deserves loving permanence in a forever family. With that focus in mind and taking action together, we can make that happen.