Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
New Brunswick, in fact, unfortunately does not have enough midwifery services. Truthfully, there are practically none at the moment.
As I have come to know the various groups of midwives and met many of their members, I have seen that they are working very hard to have their profession recognized everywhere in Canada, in all provinces and territories.
Thus, let us ensure that all women across the country have access to the services of a midwife if they so desire. Not every woman wants to have a midwife's care, but it is very important to provide it to all those who want it.
The National Day of the Midwife in Canada could change things greatly for midwives. For one thing, as parliamentarians we would recognize that profession and the important place these women occupy in our lives. We would also be recognizing the importance of blood ties in rural or isolated communities, especially when birth is becoming a less-natural phenomenon, despite its importance to us.
Indeed, I feel strongly about this important bill, but so do hundreds and thousands of midwives all across the country.