Human Resources committee  Shelley, do you want to take that?

Human Resources committee  I think it's very important. We talk about the permanency of families. Adoptive families, kinship caregivers and customary caregivers are included in that. Youth who have aged out of the system may call it “family by choice”. They may actually find support networks and connections within their communities as they become young adults, because they haven't been able to find a form of permanency.

Human Resources committee  It's very important. We're talking about federal legislation. Youth are aging out at different ages in every province and territory. Quebec has one of the youngest ages at which youth are aging out. It's very significant what's happening to them. The fact that we do not have a national database in Canada that's even tracking what happens to youth after they age out is horrifying to me.

Human Resources committee  Yes.

Human Resources committee  I believe in thinking outside the box. That's why I've always worked for NGOs.

Human Resources committee  I believe very strongly that it's up to each individual family to determine what works for them, so flexibility there is very important.

Human Resources committee  I think there can be. I think we can tweak it. Where there's a will, there's a way, so yes, I think it can be.

Human Resources committee  I did allude in my statement that kinship caregivers and customary caregivers should be included in this legislation. It's important. It recognizes the role that grandparents and aunts and uncles play as kin. It's very important that we have customary caregivers included in this legislation for the role that they play.

Human Resources committee  We would like to see it called what it is, which is a 15-week “attachment leave”. Ideally, customary caregivers and kinship caregivers would be included in this. Those are the only changes that we would suggest.

Human Resources committee  Yes, I definitely do. I think all families should be treated equally in Canada. I think it sends a very clear message.

Human Resources committee  I would ask for the moon, but today we are here advocating for the 15-week attachment leave. I think it's significant. It shows what we value as a country. We're saying that all families, regardless of how they're created, are valued and should be honoured and upheld. That's huge for our children, youth and families.

Human Resources committee  They're older, over the age of 10.

Human Resources committee  That's correct.

Human Resources committee  It is.

Human Resources committee  First families are important. I was part, with our son, of one of the first open adoptions in Ontario. As I said, he's now 32. The first family is very important as long as safety issues can be addressed. When we look at indigenous culture, we need to look at self-governance. I think that the child welfare system, for indigenous culture, is the next residential school of our time.