Human Resources committee  I agree with the comments made that everyone has to be in there together, because, as I said before, it is not a winning or losing game. It is what we are doing for the families and the children, without doing any harm to the quality of care that we are offering, yet making it affordable for the families, because all of the prices, for everything you touch, have gone up.

Human Resources committee  Thank you. I agree 100%, more so because of the kind of work that child care workers put in. Again, I will say that I've been there, done that in the classroom with those children—cleaning them up, taking care of them, giving them quality care, and abiding by the ministry rules and regulations.

Human Resources committee  I'm just trying to understand. I don't understand French. I'm sorry; I couldn't hear you. Can you go again, please?

Human Resources committee  Yes, please, if somebody can help....

Human Resources committee  I completely agree with the statements both ladies have made and the huge statement that our friend from the YMCA has made, as well, that the salaries that educators are making are absolutely nothing compared to the amount of work they are putting in. By all means, I am with this bill, but the pay needs to go up for the educators—the ECEs and the ECAs—for the kind of work that they are expected to do.

Human Resources committee  I need a minute, please. Thank you.

Human Resources committee  First and foremost, the quality of care shouldn't go down. The ratios should not be changed, if those are even in the mix. I have no idea about that. If they are, they will definitely have a big impact on the quality we have been giving all of these years, and what we will be providing to the children and families.

Human Resources committee  That's a very touchy subject right now for me, because for the last two weeks we've been fighting over giving care to a child we've accommodated for the last two years. That child is autistic, has high needs and has been refused by many day cares. My educators are the ones giving good care in that room.

Human Resources committee  It has made a huge impact on the families. Like I stated before, as a parent I'm extremely happy. I'm very happy as an educator, as well, because these families are able to afford care that was not previously affordable. I suffered as a mom and as a parent. As these parents, the new young generation that's coming up....

Human Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of Parliament. Good morning. My name is Maryam Harim. I thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak to Bill C-35. I am a registered early childhood educator who is currently working as the director at Tiny Hoppers, Newmarket South. I was an immigrant who came to Canada 30 years ago, and I started my career as an educator by volunteering at a child care centre.