This Election, we've been polling candidates from all political parties on their support for equal parenting. We'll be releasing a final report card on Sunday.
Every day leading up to the election, we'll be releasing a different Trading Card proclaiming each party leader a Hero or a Zero.
We're looking for everyday superheroes to help protect our children's rights, not villains that would continue to have thousands of children each year missing one of their parents.
Jack "The Joker" Layton
Ah yes, Good old Smilin' Jack and his
No Dads Party.
They've ignored us.
They've lied to us.
They've lied to you.
In August, Fathers 4 Justice activists climbed Jack Layton's constituency to protest Jack Layton muzzling his party members who said they supported equal parenting. He has a history of not responding and his party has no policy on equal parenting, despite years of government study on the issue of divorce law reform and years of communication on the subject.
In an interview with CTV news, Jack lies 3 times.
Lie #1
Jack says that he does not know about our group.
In May 2005, Fathers 4 Justice Canada delivered 100 live crickets to Jack Layton's constituency office.
See story below
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http://www.fathers-4-justice.ca/en/ca_gccc_05_05.html |
F4J Canada in Action May 16-21 2005 The Great Canadian Cricket Caper
Fathers-4-Justice Canada strikes again!
F4J activists across the country joined together again this week to conduct another Canada-wide action designed to highlight the injustice family law has become. Hundreds of crickets were released in courthouses in several jurisdictions on Monday, May 16, 2005. , in M.P's offices on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, and in the offices of divorce industry professionals on May 18, 2005. F4J Canada's "Great Canadian Cricket Caper" stickers applied at the release sites to ensure our involvement was noted. The bright, colorful stickers feature Jiminy Cricket; they shouldn't be hard to find.
Anyone entering a courthouse , M.P.'s office or the office of a divorce industry professional should listen carefully in the coming days. As our gifts to the justice system age and begin to grow their wings they'll be making their presence known. As agents for change they'll be harder to overlook than our message has ever been. At F4J we're used to being ignored by elected representatives and the justice system so we're finding ways to defeat their apathy in our fight for the rights of all parents and children to enjoy ongoing relationships free of state interference.
The Great Canadian Cricket Caper was designed to be symbolic of the voices that our court system and our elected representatives have refused to hear. It's symbolic of the plague on Canadians that divorce has become. It's symbolic of the children that have been swept aside in favor of politic correctness. It's symbolic of our will and our determination. It's symbolic of our ability to drive home our message to the Government of Canada - clean up family law or suffer the consequences.
If you're a member of the divorce industry or are simply turning a blind eye to the carnage it creates please remember - when you hear a cricket look for our sticker, then, when you see Jiminy Cricket think F4J. We're the people taking the price off the heads of our children by exposing the divorce industry, and we're the people bringing truth, justice and equality to family law any way we can.
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Great Canadian Cricket Caper cricket count and locations
Total : 6880 crickets
New Westminster BC Supreme Court - 350 crickets
Vancouver BC Supreme Court - 350 crickets
Vancouver BC Vital Stats. office - 300 crickets
Ethel - Blondin Andrew (Yellowknife) - 100
Oshawa Unified Family Court - 50
Whitby courthouse, courtroom #3, Justice Scott presiding - 100
MP Stephane Dion (Montreal) - 100
MP Gilles Duceppe (Montreal) - 100
MP Jack Layton (Toronto) - 100
MP Bev Oda (Clarington) - 100
MP Mark Holland (Pickering/Ajax) - 100
MP Colin Carrie (Oshawa) - 100
MP Bill Graham (Toronto Centre-Rosedale) - 100
MP Paul Szabo (Mississauga) - 100
MP John McKay (Scarborough East) - 100
MP Joe Volpe (Eglinton/Lawrence) - 100
MP Judy Sgro (York West) - 100
MP Carolyn Parrish (Mississauga Centre) - 100
MP Belinda Stronach (Newmarket/Aurora) - 100
MP Colleen Beaumier (Brampton West) - 100
Attorney Miriam Grassby (Montreal) - 80
Victoria Courthouse - 600
MP Gary Lunn (Saanich & Gulf Islands) - 200
MP David Anderson (Victoria) - 200
Family Lawyer practitioners Carr Buchan & Co. (Victoria)- 200
Regina Family Law Courthouse - 100
Fredericton Courthouse - 50
Rimouski Courthouse - 200
Newmarket Courthouse - 200
Jarvis St. Toronto Courthouse - 200
393 University Ave. Toronto Courthouse - 200
Milton Courthouse - 200
Oshawa Unified Family Court - 200
Montreal Court House: 1000
Longueil Court House: 200
St-Jérôme Court House: 200
Laval Court House: 200 |
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Lie #2
Jack says his office is an accessible place.
Here's some of the letters and emails we have received about Jack Layton and his NDP representatives.
"I have called Jack Laytons office several times and received no response. I was also away for two weeks so have not been able to follow up lately. "
"Dear F4J,
I wrote a letter about equal parenting to the NDP. I can send a copy of this letter, but I thought the response was interesting and it follows this message. I recommend that Father 4 Justice members call on the NDP during this election and for them to make a formal statement in support of equal parenting. I have worked with the NDP in the past and believe that the philosophy of equal parenting fits in line with NDP principals. I'll attend the candidates local meetings and will pose my questions about
equal parenting and tell of my personal experience with the family justice system."
"Below is my reply from my NDP MP Wayne Marston (Hamilton East, Stoney Creek). Earlier this year I had an opportunity at a town hall to talk to both Jack Layton and Wayne and gave them each a copy of my book "Courts From Hell". I suspect the NDP have a gag order on this subject. I am very disappointed by my MP Wayne Marston. I' ve tried almost weekly to set up a meeting with him yet there's always an excuse or that he is awaiting a
policy position. In any case he is avoiding the subject and me. My point to Mr. Marston is that he should not be waiting for Mr. Comartin to be making a decision but telling Mr. Comartin on behalf of his constiuents what his position should be and at least have the respect to let them know his stance on this important topic. In short, I have seen nothing positive that let's me believe the NDP have any interest in "The Canadian Family"."
" I point out that no NDP member has replied to the many letters that our Ottawa group has sent to their offices about these issues since 1993. It would be a great step to find a NDP member willing to help present an equal shared parenting policy to the party or caucus."
Here's what some of you in the public had to say after the taking of Jack Layton's constituency office roof by Fathers 4 Justice Canada activists.
"I am shocked that the NDP is not supporting Equal Parenting. I have attended meetings in the past with hundreds of people that are being destroyed by the courts and their parental rights being taken from them. These people were all Union people which are NDP supporters. I am normally an NDP supporter and I am glad to find out here that an issue that has hit home to me and my friends and family is not being supported by the NDP.
What would possess any party not to support equal parenting. It seems to be a logical choice to support for the children. Grown ups would not like to have a parent ripped out of their lives, why would children. The courts are the ones writing up these court documents destroying the families and it is our politicians that need to step up and protect our children.
I am disgusted that the NDP has, on top of ignored this important issue, but is going after non-violent protesters for climbing their building. Come on...This is a very sad day.
We take issue with dead beat dad's and here are father's (and mother's) that are trying to be part of their children's lives and standing up for their children in a non-violent way to educate you, the NDP, on what is going on and you are taking issue with it. Shame on you.
I need to pass this information on to my fellow NDP supporters that are loosing everything they have worked hard for in their lives...their children, their homes, their savings....to the courts and their politial party is causing a road block for them and not supporting this.
Thanks for the information on this."
"Subject: MY OPINION - DO PUBLICITY STUNT PROTESTS WORK? THE ANSWER IS "YES"
Thanks to Lauren McKeon for reporting on "Plywood Man arrested in Toronto" published on August 13, 2008.
I, along with the countless other victims of our outrageously biased, shameful, corrupt and recklessly run "Family" court system in Canada, cannot find any words that could truly define how shocking and devastating these courts are.
Anyone with even a nanoparticle of common sense, will entirely agree that peaceful demonstrations are required. The truth about our courts has been continually swept under a "gigantic" rug for decades and MPs and MPPs continue to blatantly ignore Canadians.
As for MP Mr. Dennis Bevington, please read my earlier e-mail correspondence sent to him which I have inserted below. Does he neither speak, nor understand English perhaps?
By the way, if the United Nations in Geneva have the courtesy to acknowledge my e-mails, why is it that our own Members of Parliament respond to me by using their "DELETE" button before they even read one typed character? This is shameful to say the very least.
Obviously, MPs such as our infamous Mr. Jack Layton, discard any correspondence which they receive from their constituents and then act like "Ostriches with their heads stuck in the sand" with the belief that everything will be alright if they don't ever look up.
I met personally with Mr. Jack Layton on January 11, 2004 and I'm still patiently waiting for even the very simplest of exclamations or acknowledgement from him but alas, nothing yet. How many years do you think that I should wait?
If Mr. Layton and Mr. Bevington had worked for me at any time, I would have fired them within an hour or so on their very first morning simply because I have the age and experience to see right through their facades.
Shame on them and other MPs who act in the same disgraceful and unacceptable way...
Millions of Canadians such as myself are forced to pay these MPs' salaries to sit on their hands on their "Golden Chairs" while they outrageously ignore [to say it politely] the electorate.
Canadians are far too polite and far too nice. Just look around the World and you will see what I mean.
Even Toronto Police Officers have told me (off the record of course) that they agree with peaceful demonstrations but they are not allowed to publicly voice their opinion because they are Police Officers.
So much for Canadian "Democracy" [what's that], as this whole mess reminds me of Germany in the 1930's and Russia in the 1960's. Hmmmmmmmmmmm......! I believe that I have proven my point.
Thanks again to you for helping our Families by reporting as you did thus bringing this very sad state of affairs to everyone's attention.
By the way, on a very sombre note, I haven't seen or heard from my Daughter since 1994. How many Grandchildren do I have? They probably believe that I am dead. So very sad.
What would you feel and what would you say if you were me......?"
Lie #3
Jack said this was out of the blue and he has never talked to our group before.
Here's part of our case
Plywood Man, Mark Bogan, began his mission for equal parenting 6 years ago in Yellowknife, NWT. With no tall buildings to climb he began his simple but persistent protest for equal parenting with large pieces of painted plywood.
His campaign drew overwhelming community support and led to the unanimous resolution passed on June 17, 2008 by the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in support of Equal Parenting and a call to NDP MP, Denis Bevington to support Private Members Motion M483 for Equal Parenting.
To date Mr. Bevington has been unable to publicly support the bill because he has been oppressed by his party and in particular NDP leader Jack Layton.
"I believe that the NDP is the No Dads Party. They are oppressing Mr. Bevington as well as Fathers and Families across Canada" said Plywood man.
Some history of NDP communications annd interactions.
F4J hosted a three hour round table discussion with Denis Bevington in Feb. 2006.
Present were: The RCMP
The Yellowknife Women’s center
The Yellowknife Health Authorities
The John Howard Society
5 Dads, one from New Zealand
Most fathers could not finish their testimony as they broke down crying. One Dad told his story from 25 years ago.
Denis Bevington told us all he supports EP
F4J has a petition nearing a thousand signature supporting EP. Signatures begin in Hay River, NT and end in Inuvik NT. They include every community on the Mackenzie River.
Jack Layton was in town in 2007, guest speaker at the Yellowknife Women’s Center. He too had a good look at the petition sheet.
You have his first assistants email. She self confesses of knowing a lot of men that are in the same boat.
Joe Comartin is in possession of stacks of emails from fathers across Canada.
The GNWT passed a motion supporting EP on July 19th, 2008.
"On August 8, 2008 Fathers 4 Justice superheroes took to the skies by scaling NDP Leader Jack Layton's constituency office. The thrust of the protest was to officially declare the NDP as the No Dads Party.
Equal Parenting supporters have spoken volumes in the north. "I have presented a petition to Denis Bevington and Jack Layton earlier this year with signatures ranging from Hay River to Inuvik, including every community along the Mackenzie River, and now nearing 1000 signatures all supporting equal parenting. "Even Mr. Bevington has signed the petition yet has done nothing to advance equal parenting for Northerners", said Bogan.
In 2007, representatives from the John Howard Society, the Yellowknife Health Authorities, the RCMP, the Centre for Northern families and five non-custodial fathers met with Western Arctic MP Mr. Bevington in a three hour round-table discussion regarding the merits of equal parenting in 2006. "Most men were so emotionally hurt, they could barely finish their testimony" said Bogan.
During the meeting the Arleene Hache of the centre of Northern Families and Mr. Bevington both stated that they were equal parenting supporters. "We had a representative from New Zealand. Mr. Bevington happened to be traveling there following the meeting and promised this fellow he would open a channel with the New Zealand Government regarding his plight." said Bogan. "Our MP has taken action overseas, yet continues to mull over this issue in front of his very own constituents".
Seventeen MP's have seconded Mr. Vellancott's Motion for equal parenting. The maximum number of MPs who can second the motion is twenty. "It is not too late for Mr. Bevington to add his name favouring the motion", said Bogan.
Equal parenting supporters will not elect a Member of Parliament who does not put equal parenting on the top of their political agenda. "We got rid of Ethel Blondin-Andrew and we are now focused in defeating Denis Bevington in the next election" said Bogan."
"I am fresh off the phone with Joy Newton special
assistant to western arctic MP Dennis Bevington.(NDP)
She has received stacks of emails from coast to coast
to coast and has printed them all off. Joy is hand
delivering them to Joe Comartin, justice critic for
the NDP.
Thank you all for participating.
Happy New Year."
Open Letter to Jack Layton
So F4J tried once again to open a door of communication with the NDP leader and offered him the opportunity to answer a few specific questions.
Open Letter from F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada to Hon. Jack Layton
2008-08-12 VIA EMAIL AND REGISTERED MAIL
F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada,
202-812 12th Street,
New Westminster , BC V3M 4K1
Hon. Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader of the NDP,
221 Broadview Avenue-Suite 100,
Toronto , ON M4M 2G4
Dear Mr. Layton:
Re: NDP Policy on Equal Parenting
We are pleased to note from your CTV interview of 2008-08-08 that you describe yourself as "accessible" and with a "reputation for responding well and fast". Regrettably, your constituency staff have not been responding to telephone calls, emails and letters on Equal Parenting from numerous Canadians and our members, sometimes for months on end.
We therefore submit this Open Letter on Equal Parenting to you, and invite you to likewise respond in public, either directly or via response that we shall release to the media:
1. Does the NDP support parliamentary Private Members Motion M-483 on Equal Parenting?
M-483 — April 11, 2008 — Mr. Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin)— That, in the opinion of the House, the government should propose amendments to the Divorce Act so that law and practice ensure due process protection of rights and equality of parents, and to ensure that children benefit from equal parenting from both their mother and their father, after separation or divorce.
2. If not, what amendment is the NDP prepared to put forward to make the motion acceptable?
3. Will the NDP publicly commit to allow its members an unfettered free vote on M-483 free from party discipline and sanctions?
4. What is the official NDP policy on Equal Parenting, and, should it not have one, when will the NDP commit to publishing a policy in public?
We note that in a February 2007 SES Poll, 79% of Canadians, and 76 % of NDP voters supported Equal Parenting in response to the question:
"Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose federal and provincial legislation to create a presumption of equal parenting in child custody cases? "
We believe Equal Parenting and Family Rights are too important to be partisan issues, and we seek all-party support for long overdue family law reform. If Denmark and Australia , among others, can adopt equal parenting provisions, there is no reason for Canada to be a laggard.
While we note with favour that Mr. Paul Dewar will apparently be tabling a Private Members Bill (PMB) this autumn to help equalize tax treatment for divorced parents, we specifically seek your position on more substantive Equal Parenting issues that are clearly important to most Canadians and NDP supporters, as polls indicate.
Should we not hear from you in ten business days, we shall reasonably conclude that you have explicitly chosen not make yourself accessible to Canadians and the media after all.
F4J Fathers-4-Justice ( Canada ) advocates for Equal Parenting and Family Law reform on behalf of those children and parents brutalized and bankrupted by the current divorce industry. We pride ourselves on our twin track campaign of non-violent direct action and political activism. It's time for all parliamentarians to address this national tragedy for the sake of the children.
In good faith,
Kris Titus
National Co-ordinator
office@fathers-4-justice-canada.ca
1-888-345-2262 ext. 704
copy: Media List
copy: All Federal Members of Parliament
copy: Representatives Family Rights Movement
The office of Jack Layton has yet to respond to our head office, though many who had written letters suddenly received the following form letter on the day our 10 day ultimatum ended.
The form letter response
Thank you for your email in support of equal parenting and motion M-483.
We recognize that any separation or divorce is difficult and emotionally charged issues and where children are involved they pose even greater challenges. We are committed to ensuring that any legislative initiatives are in the best interests of our children.
At this time we do not have a formal policy on the issue of equal parenting. In the absence of a formal policy on a specific legislative issue, we are guided by broader party policy and our critic’s recommendation on the proposed legislation and then the issue is discussed and debated by Caucus. As Parliament is not presently sitting, the federal Caucus has yet to meet to discuss motion M-483.
Several members of our Caucus have, however, met with representatives from the Canadian Equal Parenting Coalition, including our Justice critic, Joe Comartin, who has expressed his willingness to fully consider the Coalitions concerns when he presents his recommendation to Caucus when Parliament resumes in September.
We appreciate you raising this issue with us and for allowing us the opportunity to respond. All the best.
Sincerely,
Jack Layton’s New Democrats
Putting you and your family first.
Jack Layton claims to represent the average Canadian family, half of which are now divorced families and completely ignored by the NDP.
This is not time for joking around Jack.
