Human Resources committee  I don't know what to tell you. Should women be required to disclose that they are pregnant? It's not something we've ever talked about. That is what I would say.

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—

Human Resources committee  —the legislation stipulates that pregnant women cannot be exposed to those kinds of working conditions, and various other types of risks are assessed as they arise.

Human Resources committee  I don't know what to tell you. In the 1980s, the Supreme Court determined that such matters fell within the area of labour relations and were therefore under the shared jurisdiction of the federal and provincial governments. That is why the preventive withdrawal from the workplac

Human Resources committee  I would have a problem with incorporating such a provision in this particular piece of legislation.

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