9, As women's participation in the labour force increased, there was a clear need for the Government to be more responsive to the changing relationship between work and family responsibilities, and efforts were currently under way to develop comprehensive strategies in that regard. Measures taken thus far included the implementation of provisions relating to maternity and parental leave and benefits; the enhancement of family support services; and flexible working arrangements for government employees. Child care was generally recognized as a priority, and received financial support from the federal and provincial governments. In December 1987, increased tax relief had been made available to families with young children and a Child Care Initiatives Fund had been established to encourage the development of innovative solutions to child-care iss~es, with special priority given to the needs of Aboriginal, disabled, rural and minority children. 10. The number of women Members of Parliament had risen from 16 in 1982 to 40 at present; six women had been appointed to the Federal Cabinet and in 1989 the first woman to lead a national political party had been elected. Three women served on the SupremP. Court and increasing numbers of women were being appointed to the lower courts. I • .. CEDAW/C/SR.l67 English Page ~ (Mr. Fortier, Canada) 11. In the area of health, the most complex and contentious issues were those of abortion and reproductive health. In January 1988, the Supreme Court had struck down Canada's existing law governing therapeutic abortions, holding that its provisions were a breach of the right to security of the person as set out in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. New abortion legislation had recently been tabled in Parliament, under which abortion would be considered a medical decision to be made by a woman and her doctor on the basis of broadly defined 
**Analysis**
The text discusses various aspects of women's participation in the labor force, family responsibilities, and government initiatives to support working mothers. It also touches on issues related to reproductive health, specifically abortion legislation. These topics suggest that the text is primarily focused on employment and social issues, with a secondary focus on health.

**Category**
Employment, Health