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 have been 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.
Stephen Harper "Superman"
There is no question that the Conservative Party of Canada has put forward the strongest initatives for equal parenting rights over the past 10 years.
Policy initiative #65 title "shared parenting"
A Conservative Government will make the necessary changes to the Divorce Act to ensure that in the event of a marital breakdown, the divorce act will allow both parents and all grandparents to maintain a meaningful relationship with their children and grandchildren, unless it is clearly demonstrated not to be in the best interests of the children.
37th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 051
CONTENTS
Monday, February 3, 2003
Excerpt:
Mr. Philip Mayfield (Cariboo—Chilcotin, Canadian Alliance): Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the minister for participating in the debate today. It is always a pleasure.
My question for the minister relates to his concern for children. I have heard no response to the report of the Special Joint Committee on Child Custody and Access. When might the House expect to hear a response from the government on that report? It was extremely anguishing to listen to parents and the legal profession talk about this issue.
I would very much like to hear the government's response. Would the minister tell us when it is coming?
Hon. Martin Cauchon: Madam Speaker, first I thank very much the members of the committee. They did fantastic work which will be very useful in order to take the necessary steps to reform, if I may use that word, the Divorce Act.
When we look at the Divorce Act we always take positions based on the best interests of children. It is key to our nation. At the same time we have been looking at custody and access. We have been talking a lot about those issues. We have heard from people across Canada. Shortly we will come forward with some amendments with regard to the Divorce Act.
At the same time we are looking at the notion of services, to get involved and help families that are facing crises. The notion of services support is as important as any reform we as the government may bring forward on the Divorce Act.
See also:
At this time I would like to thank the Special Joint Committee on Child Custody and Access. Its important work has directly led to many of the recommendations I will be taking forward.
What others are saying:
Rights of the Child
Mr. Norman Doyle (St. John's East, PC): Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition on behalf of several hundred people from across the country who are calling upon Parliament to immediately enact fair family law legislation which incorporates the presumption of equal shared parenting and children having a voice in divorce proceedings that affect them which is in the best and complete interests of children and incorporates their rights as decreed by the United Nations.
Mr. Rex Barnes (Gander—Grand Falls, PC): Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 36, I have a petition to present to the House of Commons with regard to the rights of the child having a voice in divorce proceedings. I present this before the House.
Mr. Paul Forseth (New Westminster—Coquitlam—Burnaby, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition today containing some 1,300 signatures.
The petitioners call upon Parliament to immediately enact fair family law legislation which incorporates a presumption of equal shared parenting and children having a voice in divorce proceedings that affect them and which is in the best and complete interests of children and incorporates their rights as decreed by the United Nations.
Mrs. Elsie Wayne (Saint John, PC): Mr. Speaker, I wish to present to the House a petition with 235 names calling upon Parliament to immediately enact family law legislation which incorporates a presumption of equal shared parenting and children having a voice in divorce proceedings that affect them and which is in the best and complete interests of children and incorporates their rights as decreed by the United Nations.
Children
Mr. Ovid Jackson (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36, it is my honour to present on behalf of my constituents of Bruce--Grey--Owen Sound a petition with regard to the family.
The petitioners ask that Parliament make legislation to ensure that we have a clear definition of shared parenting and that all the laws concerning children be looked at with respect to making sure that the kids get the best outcomes and the best values.
Rights of the Child
Mr. Larry Spencer (Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, Canadian Alliance): Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today to rise on behalf of a number of citizens of Canada who have chosen to exercise their right to petition Parliament when they feel there are deficiencies in legislation.
I have three petitions. The first one calls upon Parliament to modify legislation to ensure that both parents are actively involved with their children after divorce through specifically defined shared parenting, and to modify the support guidelines to make sure that the support goes to the child.
Divorce Act
Mr. Jay Hill (Prince George—Peace River, Canadian Alliance) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-245, an act to amend the Divorce Act (shared parenting).
He said: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to once again introduce this bill.
Unfortunately, all too often in Canada our courts do not consider the best interests of the children in divorce rulings and grant sole custody only to one parent.
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. The bill would ensure both parents are put on an equal footing and reduce the likelihood of one parent denying the right of the other to see their children.
The Special Joint Committee on Child Custody and Access recommended legislation on shared parenting almost five years ago, yet to date the government has done nothing to help the children of divorced parents.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
Grandparents
Mr. Peter MacKay (Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough, PC) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-294, an act to amend the Divorce Act (custody of grandchildren).
He said: Mr. Speaker, this amendment to the Divorce Act would allow grandparents to apply for custody of their grandchildren without leave of the court. Clearly, it would still have to be granted by the court in the final analysis, but would do away with any blocks to do it. It would give automatic standing should the grandparents choose to seek it.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
2008 Private member Motion M483
Vellacott introduces Private Member's Motion to promote equal parenting
For Immediate Release, April 17, 2008
OTTAWA Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) this
week introduced a Private Member's Motion that notes the importance of
the participation of both parents in the raising of their children,
even in the case of marital breakdown, in all cases except those of
abuse and neglect.
A 1998 Canadian Special Joint House-Senate Committee on Child Custody
and Access produced a report entitled 'For The Sake of the Children.'
This report had important recommendations on equal
parenting. Vellacott's motion again raises the importance of these
recommendations.
"More equity needs to be brought into the way Canadian courts decide
on custodial and access questions," said Vellacott. "The changes that
my motion would encourage are in the best interests of children."
This motion reads as follows:
M-483 April 11, 2008 Mr. Vellacott (SaskatoonWanuskewin) 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.
Conservatives who supported this motion
Harold Albrecht - Kitchener/Conestoga ON
David Anderson - Cypress Hills/Grasslands SK
Leon Benoit - Vegreville/Wainwright AB
Garry Breitkreuz - Yorkton/Melville SK
Patrick Brown - Barrie ON
John Cummins - Delta/Richmond East BC
Peter Goldring - Edmonton East AB
Art Hanger - Calgary Northeast - AB
Luc Harvey - Louis/Hebert QC
Russ Hiebert - South Surrey/White Rock/Cloverdale BC
Betty Hinton - Kamloops/Thompson/Cariboo BC
Bev Shipley - Lambton/Kent/Middlesex ON
Carol Skelton - Saskatoon/Rosetown/Biggar SK
Dave Van Kesteren - Chatham-Kent/Essex ON
Maurice Vellacott - Saskatoon/Wanuskewin
London Conservative
Conservative Canidate Mary Lou Ambrogio from London Fanshawe Ontario region supports equal parenting. When the Barney Mobile was in London this year, Mary Lou came out and helped educate the public about the abuse of our current family court system.
"I have checked with the party and made my case and I have approval that I can talk about my support for equal parenting."
Face to Face with Stephen Harper
"I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Harper face to face several times over the past few years. He is the only political leader of the many I have met that looked me directly in the face when we spoke,. That speaks volumes to me about his character."
Meetings with Justice
"When Mr. Harper was first elected as Prime Minister, I contacted his office who very kindly set up a meeting for me with the Policy Advisor to the Justice Minister and his special assistance."
" I have had a couple of subsequent meetings with the Justice Department after Mr. Nicholson became Justice Minister, and they are very open to the idea of equal parenting legislation."
Stephen Harper "Family is Everything"
"Good God, we must have someone to believe in to right these wrongs for our children, why not him?"
