Equal Shared Parenting Family Law Reform In Canada
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Petition For Equal Shared Parenting Family Law Reform In Canada
Prime Minister Stephen Harper Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Michael Ignatieff Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe - Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada
Elizabeth May Leader of the Green Party of Canada
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson
The House of Commons of Canada in Parliament Assembled
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, Citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to the following:
THAT WHEREAS the Canadian Family Justice System is failing Children and their Families by creating an adversarial atmosphere that is contradictory to the best interests of children. As Canadian Family Court Judge, Justice Harvey Brownstone stated in an interview with CBCs Susan Ormiston, My position is that the Family Court is the last place that parents in conflict should be going to, to convert themselves from ex-partners, to co-parents. That is what they need to do, and it doesn't happen in a courtroom, because a courtroom sets parents up to wage war, not peace, and for the sake of their children, their children need their parents to be at peace."
WHEREAS the Canadian Government is failing Children by refusing to fulfill its legal obligation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Canada signed on May 28th, 1990 and consented to on December 13th, 1991. As it stands today, Canada is failing its children in regards to its Family Law practices, on 19 specific articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
WHEREAS the Canadian Government is failing Children by refusing to reform the Family Law system in Canada, by continually ignoring repeated proposed legislation calling for Family Law reform in this country; such as the reccomendations put forth in the 1998 report by the Special Joint Committee on Child Custody and Access entitled, For The Sake Of The Children, as well as the Honourable Jay Hills Private Members Bill, Bill C-245, that was introduced before Parliament in October of 2002.
Upon introducing Bill C-245 before the House Of Commons, Mr. Hill stated, "Shared parenting should not be awarded only under special circumstances, but it should be granted under all circumstances, except in cases of proof of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or if it is not in the best interests of the child. Child custody remains an important issue to many Canadians. This bill aims to force change in an area the government continues to ignore."
WHEREAS the Federal Government of Canada is now being given another opportunity to finally put Childrens best interests forward with the introduction of an Equal Shared Parenting Private Members Bill, Bill C-422, that was introduced before Parliament on June 16th, 2009, by M.P. Maurice Vellacott of Saskatoon. Bill C-422 would reform the Divorce Act, and make Equal Shared Parenting the normative determination by courts dealing with situations of divorce involving children.
Upon introducing Bill C-422 before parliament, Mr. Vellacott stated, Unfortunately many Canadian Families experience the break up of a marriage, and when this happens the results can be devastating to children. Children are caught in the middle, but should not be used as a weapon, or alienated from one of the parents. Aside from proven abuse or neglect, Canadians want Equal Shared Parenting to be the presumption in our courts when marriages break up, because it is in the best interests of children, and because it is part of an enlightened equality agenda.
WHEREAS Bill C-422 is very important in bringing Canadian legislation in line with what the best research says about the best interests of children. In his December 2008 reasearch paper, CHILD CUSTODY, ACCESS & PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: The Search For A Just And Equitable Standard, Professor Edward Kruk of The University of British Columbia states, Children of divorce want equal time with their parents and consider shared parenting to be in their best interests. Seventy per cent of children of divorce believe that equal amounts of time with each parent is the best living arrangement for children, and children who have had equal time arrangements have the best relations with each of their parents after divorce.
WHEREAS the vast majority of the Canadian public, 78 percent, supports Equal Shared Parenting legislation, with a high of 86 percent in the province of Quebec, and among supporters of major Political Parties in Canada, Equal Shared Parenting is supported by 78 percent of Conservatives, 78.5 percent of NDPs, 80.6 percent of Liberals and 83 percent of Bloc Quebecois.
WHEREAS the Conservative Partys own Policy Declaration states in section K, under the title SOCIAL POLICY, #69, The Conservative Party believes that in the event of a marital breakdown, the Divorce Act should grant joint custody, unless it is clearly demonstrated not to be in the best interests of the child. Both parents and all grandparents should be allowed to maintain a meaningful relationship with their children and Grandchildren, unless it is demonstrated not to be in the best interest of the child.
WHEREAS Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has written, These groups demanded that the custody and access regime created by the Divorce Act of 1985 be replaced with a shared parenting regime in which both parents are given equal rights to bring up their children. These are sensible and overdue suggestions, and the fact they are being made shows that men and women are struggling to correct the rights revolution, so that equality works for everyone.
THEREFORE, your petitioners request that the Canadian Government stop failing the children of this country, and that the House of Commons in Parliament assembled revise the Divorce Act and pass Private Members Bill C-422, to ensure that the best interests of children are put forth in our courts, by making Equal Shared Parenting the normative determination in dealing with situations of divorce involving children. We also request that adequate judicial training and accountability be implemented to ensure compliance with the legislation and the will of Parliament.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Michael Ignatieff Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe - Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada
Elizabeth May Leader of the Green Party of Canada
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson
The House of Commons of Canada in Parliament Assembled
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, Citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to the following:
THAT WHEREAS the Canadian Family Justice System is failing Children and their Families by creating an adversarial atmosphere that is contradictory to the best interests of children. As Canadian Family Court Judge, Justice Harvey Brownstone stated in an interview with CBCs Susan Ormiston, My position is that the Family Court is the last place that parents in conflict should be going to, to convert themselves from ex-partners, to co-parents. That is what they need to do, and it doesn't happen in a courtroom, because a courtroom sets parents up to wage war, not peace, and for the sake of their children, their children need their parents to be at peace."
WHEREAS the Canadian Government is failing Children by refusing to fulfill its legal obligation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Canada signed on May 28th, 1990 and consented to on December 13th, 1991. As it stands today, Canada is failing its children in regards to its Family Law practices, on 19 specific articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
WHEREAS the Canadian Government is failing Children by refusing to reform the Family Law system in Canada, by continually ignoring repeated proposed legislation calling for Family Law reform in this country; such as the reccomendations put forth in the 1998 report by the Special Joint Committee on Child Custody and Access entitled, For The Sake Of The Children, as well as the Honourable Jay Hills Private Members Bill, Bill C-245, that was introduced before Parliament in October of 2002.
Upon introducing Bill C-245 before the House Of Commons, Mr. Hill stated, "Shared parenting should not be awarded only under special circumstances, but it should be granted under all circumstances, except in cases of proof of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or if it is not in the best interests of the child. Child custody remains an important issue to many Canadians. This bill aims to force change in an area the government continues to ignore."
WHEREAS the Federal Government of Canada is now being given another opportunity to finally put Childrens best interests forward with the introduction of an Equal Shared Parenting Private Members Bill, Bill C-422, that was introduced before Parliament on June 16th, 2009, by M.P. Maurice Vellacott of Saskatoon. Bill C-422 would reform the Divorce Act, and make Equal Shared Parenting the normative determination by courts dealing with situations of divorce involving children.
Upon introducing Bill C-422 before parliament, Mr. Vellacott stated, Unfortunately many Canadian Families experience the break up of a marriage, and when this happens the results can be devastating to children. Children are caught in the middle, but should not be used as a weapon, or alienated from one of the parents. Aside from proven abuse or neglect, Canadians want Equal Shared Parenting to be the presumption in our courts when marriages break up, because it is in the best interests of children, and because it is part of an enlightened equality agenda.
WHEREAS Bill C-422 is very important in bringing Canadian legislation in line with what the best research says about the best interests of children. In his December 2008 reasearch paper, CHILD CUSTODY, ACCESS & PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: The Search For A Just And Equitable Standard, Professor Edward Kruk of The University of British Columbia states, Children of divorce want equal time with their parents and consider shared parenting to be in their best interests. Seventy per cent of children of divorce believe that equal amounts of time with each parent is the best living arrangement for children, and children who have had equal time arrangements have the best relations with each of their parents after divorce.
WHEREAS the vast majority of the Canadian public, 78 percent, supports Equal Shared Parenting legislation, with a high of 86 percent in the province of Quebec, and among supporters of major Political Parties in Canada, Equal Shared Parenting is supported by 78 percent of Conservatives, 78.5 percent of NDPs, 80.6 percent of Liberals and 83 percent of Bloc Quebecois.
WHEREAS the Conservative Partys own Policy Declaration states in section K, under the title SOCIAL POLICY, #69, The Conservative Party believes that in the event of a marital breakdown, the Divorce Act should grant joint custody, unless it is clearly demonstrated not to be in the best interests of the child. Both parents and all grandparents should be allowed to maintain a meaningful relationship with their children and Grandchildren, unless it is demonstrated not to be in the best interest of the child.
WHEREAS Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has written, These groups demanded that the custody and access regime created by the Divorce Act of 1985 be replaced with a shared parenting regime in which both parents are given equal rights to bring up their children. These are sensible and overdue suggestions, and the fact they are being made shows that men and women are struggling to correct the rights revolution, so that equality works for everyone.
THEREFORE, your petitioners request that the Canadian Government stop failing the children of this country, and that the House of Commons in Parliament assembled revise the Divorce Act and pass Private Members Bill C-422, to ensure that the best interests of children are put forth in our courts, by making Equal Shared Parenting the normative determination in dealing with situations of divorce involving children. We also request that adequate judicial training and accountability be implemented to ensure compliance with the legislation and the will of Parliament.
1085 Signatures
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Dave Nash
- Full Address
- 26 Clythe Creek Drive, Guelph, Ontario, N1E 7J2
- Comments
- For a Country that prides itself on being a Nation of Peace Keepers, why is it that Canada has a so-called "Justice" System in place that asks families, during one of the most difficult times in their lives, to go to war with one another over their children? Aren't we as Canadians better than this?
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shawn marchand
- Full Address
- 242 scott rd cambridge on n13 3z8
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Patrick Hodgson
- Full Address
- 16 Deer Ave. Millbrook, ON L0A1G0
- Comments
- The state of our family court system is a NATIONAL TRAGEDY. Together we can make changes happen!
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Walter Miller
- Full Address
- 155 Hadati Rd. Guelph, ON, N1E 6N3
- Comments
- There is no doubt in my mind that children are often used as a tool for revenge against an estranged spouse and in most cases the current system ignores it and in some cases encourages it. It is simply wrong. Time for change.
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Erik Birke
- Full Address
- 333 Harbord St Toronto, ON M6G 1H3
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Chris Kay
- Full Address
- 711-176 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON, M5A 4H2
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Jason Remmerswaal
- Full Address
- 62 Logan Ave, Sudbury, ON
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Tina Panos
- Full Address
- 36 Windfield Cr Kingston On K7K 6G2
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Jason Henderson
- Full Address
- 166 Banffshire St, Kitchener, ON
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Lisa Jones
- Full Address
- #83 County Rd #15 Demorestville, ON
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shyldon safruk
- Full Address
- 474 elgin st
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Nora Miller
- Full Address
- 155 Hadati rd
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Dwayne Storey
- Full Address
- 232 Cameron Street, Moncton NB, E1C 5Z3
- Comments
- I hope this petition is successful for the sake of the children and their parents!
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Karen Storey
- Full Address
- 232 Cameron Street, Moncton NB, E1C 5Z3
- Comments
- I hope this petition is successful for the sake of the children and the Fathers!!!Some Mothers should not be allowed to keep the children when they only want them for the money they get from the Fathers!!!!!!!! It's discusting!!!!!
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Carolyn
- Full Address
- 214 Doon Valley Dr, Kitchener, ON N2P 2B5
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Annie McGrath
- Full Address
- P.O.BOX 73' ST. BRIDES, NL. A0B2Z0
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Marlene Wallace
- Full Address
- 7 Golders Green Ave., Scarborough ON., M1C 3N5
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Jody McLeod
- Full Address
- 8 kipling rd Verner ON P0H-2M0
- Comments
- No parent should go without seeing their children,keeping them apart should be a crime.
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David Wallace
- Full Address
- 7 Golders Green Avenue, Scarborough, Ont, M1C 3N5
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Dean Zdriluk
- Full Address
- 111 foxtail ridge ON Canada
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Serge St-Georges
- Full Address
- 136 Maple Sugar Ln, Thornhill, ON, L4J 8T9
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Ivan Watkins
- Full Address
- 98-680 Regency court Burlington Ontario L7N 3L9
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Tina Watkins
- Full Address
- 98-680 Regency Court Burlington Ontario L7N 3L9
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Cat Grimwood
- Full Address
- 137 Wyndham St , Guelph, ont, canada
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don green
- Full Address
- 165 duke st east north bay ontario
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Jason March
- Full Address
- 19, Hibernia dr Clarenville, NF
- Comments
- I have been a victom of the system.
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Xiaohu Liu
- Full Address
- 43-78 College Ave. Guelph, ON N1G4S7
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Diana Parmenter
- Full Address
- 132 Dufferin St. Guelph Ontario
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Melissa Erskine
- Full Address
- 711-176 The Esplanade, Toronto, Ontario M5A 4H2
- Comments
- Our family laws really need to be looked at and reformed for the best interest of the children and those involved.
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Cynthia Sewell
- Full Address
- 48 Elginfield Dr Guelph
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don hirtle
- Full Address
- 617 holman cres fergus on n1m3m2
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Rebecca Helsel
- Full Address
- Huntsville P1H1R7
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John Kay
- Full Address
- 28 Belfountain Court, Brampton, Ontario L6W 2N1
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Brad Ellas
- Full Address
- 337 Brunel Rd Huntsville, On.
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Donnie Charlong
- Full Address
- 52 Gagnon Dr
- Comments
- There is a common sense solution shared parenting. Where a child is half the father, fathers should be more than a weekend father and more importantly more than a visitor in their child lives.
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Bradley V. Wall
- Full Address
- 224 Bartlett, Labrador City, NL
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Laurisa O'Brien-Waddington
- Full Address
- 2096 Sixth Line, Oakville, Ontario, L6H 3N2
- Comments
- So often parents are so consumed by rage and hate they drag their children through a war that leaves these children permanently damaged and filled with the same hate and bitterness - we are raising a nation of hate-filled children - let's save our kids and our future - cut out the legal battles for children and eliminate some of the tug of war. Think of the children and forget how much lawyers, mediators and legal professionals stand to lose if these wars aren't prolonged. Think of the children for those parents who are too self-absorbed to think about them. Think about the children and prevent parents who are put under unnecessary mental anguish by a legal system so inefficient and bound in red tape these grief-stricken individuals are left feeling they have no resort but to kill themselves, or worse themselves and their children. Think of the children and help raise a future generation with more positive, fair-minded adults.
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David Grant
- Full Address
- 34 Elgin St, Grimsby, ON L5M1C6
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Adriana Neil
- Full Address
- 233 Beecroft Road, Unit 709, North York, Ontario M2N 6Z9
- Comments
- Children deserve to spend equal time with both parents. Please help them!
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Mark Pegorer
- Full Address
- 6040 Montevideo Road, Mississauga, Ontario. L5N 2T4
- Comments
- This needs to be passed ASAP!!
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Molly Murphy
- Full Address
- 627 Thornwood Court
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Anneke Buter-Murphy
- Full Address
- 1206-1460 Beaverbrook Ave,London,On
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TERRY LEAR
- Full Address
- PO Box 22604, 300 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 3B6
- Comments
- Mothers and Fathers are expected to spend Equal time with their Children during a marriage...... therefore why have Governments, judges and lawyers etc., continually refused to recommend and legislate Equal Shared Parenting after a marriage ends? The only obvious conclusion is that the Government, countless lawyers and judges demand a horrifically acrimonious legal system that will serve their best interests only and does NOT serve the Best Interests of the Children. Judges and lawyers are thus able to ensure that they continue to receive their outrageous incomes year after year by creating unnecessary "Wars" in court-rooms. Shame on them. They continue on regardless of the fact that Children who are not raised by both good parents EQUALLY usually become dysfunctional, often for the rest of their lives. Tragically Sad and Totally Unforgivable .....
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Brad Charlton
- Full Address
- 115 Mcnay Street, London, Ontario
- Comments
- Way to go, Dave.
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trevor mackenzie
- Full Address
- 26932 29th ave aldergrove bc v4w-3c1
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Bill Fagan
- Full Address
- 2991 Main Street, Salisbury, NB, E4J-2J8
- Comments
- This issue needs to be heard by everyone. I guess it's only important until it is you it's happening to. Unfortunate.
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Robert Robinson
- Full Address
- New Westminster BC
- Comments
- "For The Sake Of The Children"
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Armando Milani
- Full Address
- 82 Treegrove Circle, Aurora, On
- Comments
- Family Court cultivates conflict primarily to sustain itself... family court is at the root of the explosive growth in the social decay industries that burden all Canadians.... family court has unwittingly made social decay the new economic engine of Canada... family court is the gold standard for disharmony, dysfunction, despair and death in Canada.... family court is destroying Canada.
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Lindsay Fleming
- Full Address
- 2-73 Mackay Ave London ON N6J2V6
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Krista Hanko
- Full Address
- Cambridge, ON
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1085
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