Human Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. First, we would like to thank you for the invitation to take part in this consultation, which we consider very important. Having apprised ourselves of the bill, we understand that it has several objectives, but that its main objective is to conduct a consu

Human Resources committee  It is relatively simple. The program outlined in the bill is similar to the Quebec program, for instance in clause 6, which refers to a doctor's certificate, and reassignment. As you said, the first step is that the woman must be followed by a physician during her pregnancy. If

Human Resources committee  In Quebec, we have some statistics. Among women whose pregnancies are carried to full term, 40% will opt for preventive withdrawal. As I explained, when I use the term preventive withdrawal, that also includes women who may be assigned to other duties. They will continue to work

Human Resources committee  I am not sure I understood your question. When you talk about care-related benefits, what do you mean?

Human Resources committee  In Quebec, this does not concern employment; we want to know whether the worker is exposed to a risk, if there is a danger to her pregnancy or to her unborn child. There are no questions asked, she is withdrawn from her position, assigned to other duties, and if not she is paid b

Human Resources committee  If the worker takes her preventive withdrawal leave earlier, she will have no more parental benefits or standard benefits at the end.

Human Resources committee  I will start with Quebec. As I was saying earlier, the public health physician assesses the risk. He determines whether or not there is a danger. That is the system in Quebec. You have to understand that physicians from the commission that compensates injured workers are not the

Human Resources committee  The maternity leave and parental benefit programs in Quebec would not be affected. Quebec has a specific program for that. All of the programs are appreciated by some and not by others. I must say that Quebeckers are as a whole very proud of that program. Even the employers do no

Human Resources committee  We are looking at the last 15 weeks before the expected delivery date because that is what the bill talks about. The reason we think it has almost no benefit is that, according to the figures in Quebec, only 5% to 6% of pregnant women receive preventive withdrawal benefits after

Human Resources committee  That gives only three extra weeks, and very few women will need to claim benefits then.

Human Resources committee  It does appear to be a myth. I gave the figures earlier, referring to 0.2% of payroll costs. If we compare, then, with employment insurance... We also have parental insurance—

Human Resources committee  Exactly. It's the equivalent of the federal maternity program—

Human Resources committee  —and the parental benefits program after the child is born. That costs six times more than the preventive withdrawal regime. It's also a societal choice. Are we willing to run the risk of pregnant women or their children becoming sick? Working conditions can have a major impact

Human Resources committee  It would be important to speak with the public health authorities. Although they do not administer the program or the benefits, they do manage all the medical infrastructure. When I say “medical”, it involves the associated risk analysis. All kinds of scientists are working in th

Human Resources committee  In Quebec, the legislation does not define any specific risk. It does not, for instance, prohibit exposure to radiation. Obviously, doctors are the ones who can and will determine that. I know that in some countries, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium, for example—