Human Resources committee  Sorry, I'm not sure I understand the question.

Human Resources committee  I would just add that our reading of the bill is that it is a positive first step toward in recognizing the terribly difficult circumstances that families find themselves in, however they find themselves in those circumstances. Anything that can provide that small window of flexibility and accommodation that compassionate care benefits can provide would be welcome steps towards recognizing these extraordinary circumstances that parents find themselves in.

Human Resources committee  People with intellectual disabilities make up approximately 2% of the population. They are often combined with other forms of disability that may involve medical complications. Generally, 2% of the Canadian population have developmental disabilities.

Human Resources committee  I don't have those figures immediately with me, but we could provide them to the committee.

Human Resources committee  As I mentioned, our perspective on Bill C-44 is that extension of compassionate care benefits would provide that small window in the context of such great need, but with respect to those modest amounts of support, parents of children with disabilities can do so much with that. As you spoke to in your experience with an 80-year-old parent of a child with a developmental disability, it's a lifetime commitment.

Human Resources committee  Again, in the context of Bill C-44 we know that the forms of intervention that can occur early in life will have tremendous outcomes later in life. Certainly caregiving responsibilities for parents of children with disabilities often continue much longer in life than for other families, and so certainly I want to recognize the need and the duties that carry on throughout a lifetime.

Human Resources committee  We believe it would mark a positive first step towards recognizing caregiving duties throughout the lifespan.

Human Resources committee  As I mentioned, we have more detailed proposals to recognize caregiving throughout the lifespan, of which an extension of compassionate care benefits would be one modest but important piece.

Human Resources committee  Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. On behalf of the Canadian Association for Community Living, I want to thank you for the invitation to participate in the committee's study of Bill C-44. My name is Tyler Hnatuk, and I am a policy and programs officer with the Canadian Association for Community Living.