Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think we are embarking on a program here that has been demonstrated to have serious reservations based on actual research and data. I presented some of it today. I know our research folks have done a lot more that’s available for anybody to look at. I’m happy to provide it. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. In contrast, there is a very useful way to spend this money and all the additional money that will go along with this and staff time for delivering early childhood development, and I’ll remind everybody, all my colleagues again, that we’re talking about delivery of early childhood development programs here.
I think the fundamental principle of involving large, multinational corporations in this activity is very questionable when these programs are things that should be delivered by the government. Involving them, of course, leads to delays and branding with its consequences to children and limiting their opportunity to develop to their full potential.
I will leave it at that. I think I have spoken to this. I have listened to my colleagues’ comments and there is not full agreement, but there are serious concerns out there and I think this will be a first step. I think we do need to also look at other issues, but we’ll leave that for now.