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 Equal Parenting Information |
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Politician Watch
Politician Watch
Where do they stand on Equal Parenting?
If you have information about a politician you would like to share with us, please send via e-mail to Kris Titus, National Coordinator, F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada
If you would like to find your MP, visit our
page to find out how.
We have provided a SAMPLE letter for you.
Ignatieff stands on the side of equal parenting.
Is Stephen Harper a 'Super Dad' or a 'Super Dud'?
At F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada, we focus heavily on political advocacy. If you would like to know where your MP stands on equal parenting, please view our Candidate Report Cards and our Honour Roll.
Election '08 Candidate Report Cards
Each candidate has received a party grade. If they have shown stronger support for equal parenting than their party, they have been given a higher grade.
F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada is endorsing the Conservative Party of Canada as first choice for their strong stand of their members in support of equal parenting.
We are endorsing the Green Party as a secondary choice. Please do not take this to mean we support the Green Party backing the Liberal party as we absolutely DO NOT endorse the Liberal Party.
We are also endorsing the following individual candidates for their support for equal parenting for children after separation or divorce.
David Sweet
Patrick Brown
Bill Casey
Larry Miller
Jim Prentice
Stephen Harper
Peter Gordon MacKay
Elizabeth May
Daniel Petit
Dave Van Kesteren
Kevin Sorenson
David Anderson
John Cummins
Mario Silva
Peter Goldring
Jeff Watson
Harold Albrecht
Bev Shipley
Mark Warawa
Daniel "F4J" LaForest
Raymonde Folco
Steve Hunter
Mary Lou Ambrogio
Luc Harvey
Allen Small
Charles Hubbard
Elie Salibi
Al Gullon
Paul Szabo
Glenn Hubbers
Dorian Baxter
Yves Villeneuve
Andrew Moulden
Peter Ittinuar
Stockwell Day
John Baird
Tony Clement
Dean Del Mastro
Dan McTeague
Jay Hill
Cheryl Gallant
Gary Lunn
Rodney Weston
Paul Zed
Amber Jones
Maurice Vellacott
Russ Hiebert
Rick Dykstra
Dwight Dugas
Howard Galganov
Leon Benoit
Brendan Bell
Rod Bruinooge
Rochelle Wilner
Alan Tonks
Garry Breitkreuz
Larry Bagnell
Download this poster and put it on your door, your car window, your lawn, and give it to a friend!
What happens now?
The following private member's motion will now die on the order paper. Two candidates have publicly promised to put it forward again and to continue pushing for equal parenting rights for children if elected.
Maurice Vellacott
Dave Van Kesteren
No. 19 No 19
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.
M-483 — 11 avril 2008 — M. Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin) — Que, de l'avis de la Chambre, le gouvernement devrait modifier la Loi sur le divorce pour que le droit et l’usage assurent la protection des droits et de l’égalité des parents par l’application régulière de la loi et pour que les enfants jouissent de l’égalité des responsabilités de la mère et du père après une séparation ou un divorce.
Pursuant to Standing Order 86(3), jointly seconded by: Conformément à l'article 86(3) du Règlement, appuyé conjointement par :
Mrs. Skelton (Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar)— May 8, 2008 Mme Skelton (Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar) — 8 mai 2008
Mr. Wappel (Scarborough Southwest)— May 9, 2008 M. Wappel (Scarborough-Sud-Ouest) — 9 mai 2008
Mr. Benoit (Vegreville—Wainwright)and Mr. Hiebert (South Surrey—White Rock—Cloverdale) — May 14, 2008 M. Benoit (Vegreville—Wainwright) et M. Hiebert (Surrey-Sud—White Rock—Cloverdale) — 14 mai 2008
Mr. Hanger (Calgary Northeast)— May 15, 2008
M. Hanger (Calgary-Nord-Est) — 15 mai 2008
Mr. Cummins (Delta—Richmond East) — May 20, 2008 M. Cummins (Delta—Richmond-Est) — 20 mai 2008
Mr. Brown (Barrie) — May 21, 2008 M. Brown (Barrie) — 21 mai 2008
Mr. Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville)— May 28, 2008 M. Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville) — 28 mai 2008
Mr. Van Kesteren (Chatham-Kent—Essex)— June 4, 2008 M. Van Kesteren (Chatham-Kent—Essex) — 4 juin 2008
Mrs. Hinton (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo)— June 5, 2008 M
me Hinton (Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo) — 5 juin 2008
Mr. Albrecht (Kitchener—Conestoga)— June 9, 2008 M. Albrecht (Kitchener—Conestoga) — 9 juin 2008
Ms. Folco (Laval—Les Îles)— June 10, 2008 Mme Folco (Laval—Les Îles) — 10 juin 2008
Mr. Anderson (Cypress Hills—Grasslands) — June 11, 2008 M. Anderson (Cypress Hills—Grasslands) — 11 juin 2008
Mr. Goldring (Edmonton East)and Mr. Shipley (Lambton—Kent—Middlesex) — June 13, 2008 M. Goldring (Edmonton-Est) et
M. Shipley (Lambton—Kent—Middlesex) — 13 juin 2008
Mr. Szabo (Mississauga South)— June 18, 2008 M. Szabo (Mississauga-Sud) — 18 juin 2008
Mr. Harvey (Louis-Hébert) — June 19, 2008 M. Harvey (Louis-Hébert) — 19 juin 2008
Motion may not be moved, pursuant to Standing Order 91.1(1). Motion ne peut être proposée, conformément à l’article 91.1(1) du Règlement.
"As a father, I find it hard not to be pained by the statistics of modern fatherhood and divorce in Canada: Mothers get custody in 86% cases, and more than 40% of children in Canada's divorced families see thier fathers only once a month." - Michael Ignatieff - The Rights Revolution
"I spoke with Michael Ignatieff last week. He still seems to be in pain from his divorce. I read his own words aloud at the meeting for everyone to hear ( from the Rights Revolution ) and asked him if his opinions had changed. He responded "NO"." - F4J Canada member
continued: "When I asked him how he would go about amending the Divorce Act, I got a bit of a wishy-washy answer. He accused the Conservatives of taking only the "Mens" side with Motion 483 (of course he has to have a dig at the Conservatives!) and he said that he would not just jump to change the law. He would like to hold discussions with all sides and find ways to improve the situation. He would like to get the lawyers out of divorce proceedings. He gave me a lenghty answer, but that was the crux of his position. My question obviously prompted him to remember the pain he felt about his children and after the meeting he came over to me and thanked me for asking the question.
I volunteered at my son's school fair this morning and Michael turned up unexpectedly. He remebered me from last week, came over and shook my hand. He again thanked me for asking the question last week."
From another member -
"I met with Michael Ignatieff two months ago with constituent *** ***.
It was a reasonably positive meeting with Iggy focusing on the direct
analysis of what the EP issues are and especially what the enemy
positions might be and how to counter those positions. He has gone
through a bad custody divorce in England and came across as quite
genuine and interested in equal parenting and how to get it into play
in Parliament."
More from Michael Ignatieff - The Rights Revolution
"The disappearing Dad - who neither pays child support nor visits his children - is a fact that cannot be denied, and his absence from his children's lives can have painful effects. These effects do not just harm children, of course. They also harm women. Divorce has become a multiplier of inequality in Canada: deprivation is heavily concentrated among single mothers with children.
Yes this crisis is too complex to be blithely blamed on 'deadbeat dads' alone. In hearings before a Parliamentary Committee in Canada in 1998, groups of fathers bitterly complained that they were bearing the brunt of public blame for what has happened to the family. In fact, they claimed they were being discriminated against. Courts were favoring mothers over fathers in custody disputes, and the divorce process was being abused by lawyers despoiling working men of their assets.
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 that they're being made shows that men and women are struggling to correct the rights revolution, so that equality works for everyone."
photo from Radey Barrack's photo stream - flikr
Michael Ignatieff - The Rights Revolution cont. from above
"In facing up to these issues, liberals also need to face up their responsibilities. Let us acknowledge that the rights revolution must shoulder some share of blame for family break up and its consequences in our society."
September 23, 2008
Ignatieff stands on the side of equal parenting.
In his 2000 book, The Rights Revolution, Michael Ignatieff had the following to say on page 106.
Re: hearings before a parliamentary committee in Canada in 1998,
" These groups demanded that the "custody and access" regime created by the Divorce Act of 1985 be replaced with a 'shared parent' 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... In facing up to these issues, liberals also need to face up to their responsibilities."
How will Ignatieff reconcile the latest Liberal Policy Platform and proposed changes to the Divorce Act with his personal beliefs on equal parenting?
One has to wonder if Stephane Dion bothers to consult his Deputy Minister.
" For those who don't know, Mr. Ignatieff spent thousands of dollars on lawyers trying to gain a few extra hours access to his child after his divorce," says Kris Titus, National Coordinator of Fathers 4 Justice Canada. "There really are few people who have remained untouched by the devastation of divorce and family break down."
If Mr. Ignatieff is a man of character he will publicly declare and clarify his position on amending the Divorce Act to include a presumption of equal parenting for the sake of men, women and children.
If the Liberals are serious about improving life for women, they will take into account the fact that if women are to have success en masse in the workforce, then they need partners in child rearing throughout their lives, including after divorce, instead of always being expected to be the sole custodial caregiver of the children. Equal parenting is good for everyone.
Ignatieff Campaign Office
5160 Dundas Street West
Etobicoke, ON M9A 1C2
Tel: (416) 255-9796
michael@michaelignatieff.caMedia contact: Jill Fairbrother
Tel: (416) 788-0539
CONTACT: Nationally, Kris Titus 1-888-F4J Canada
( 1-888-345-2262 ) ext. 704
National Website for more information about Fathers 4 Justice Canada: www.f4jcanada.ca
National Action website: www.f4jcanada.com
-End
Is Stephen Harper a 'Super Dad' or 'Super Dud'?
F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada wonders if Stephen Harper were an Everyday Superhero, which one would he be? 'Super Dad' or 'Super Dud'?
Despite very strong support within his party for a Private Member Motion PMM483 to make changes to the divorce act making equal parenting a rebuttable but presumptive default position, Harper has decided to sit the fence and highlight what a good Dad he is instead.
'I wonder if his son will still consider him a good father when he marries, divorces and loses everything he has including his most precious children that provide 'balance' and 'meaning' to his life'," says Kris Titus, National Coordinator for F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada. " I mean it's all fun and games until somebody loses a child."
For a man looking to win votes, Harper has missed the big picture by not coming out and simply declaring he supports equality of parents. 80% of Canadians have consistently showed support for this legislative change for over 10 years so why wait 10 more?
Several individual candidates from opposing parties have come forward to pledge they will publicly campaign for equal parenting rights after separation and divorce.
Fathers 4 Justice Canada will be launching a Politician Watch page on their website for anyone who wants to see where a candidate sits on equal parenting.
The group has been building momentum country wide during their Cross Country Crusade for equal parenting. The Crusade is about to do a rigorous schedule throughout Quebec, possibly criss-crossing or 'meeting up' with Mr. Harper and other National leaders, especially Gilles Duceppe, during the next 10 days.
The Quebec portion of the Cross Country Crusade is being spearheaded by one of the most recent political candidates Daniel F4J LaForest, President of Fathers 4 Justice Quebec, who will run directly against BLOC leader Gilles Duceppe in Laurier Sainte-Marie district.
The Cross Country Crusade Quebec schedule is as follows:
Gatineau/Outaouais : Tuesday, September 16th, Jean-Marie Pommerleau, coordinator
Sherbrooke: Wednesday, September 17th, Daniel Laforest, Interim Coordinator
Drummondville Thursday, September 18th, Daniel Laforest, Interim Coordinator
Montreal, Jacques-Cartier Bridge: Friday, September 19th , Paul Berube Coordinator
Montreal area: Saturday, September 20th, Andy Srougi, Coordinator
Montreal area: Sunday, September 21th, Andy Srougi, Coordinator
Trois-Rivières: Monday, September 22th, Daniel Laforest, Interim Coordinator
Montreal Down Town: Tuesday, September 23th, Benoit Leroux, Coordinator
Quebec city: Wednesday, September 24th, Jean-Philippe Lachance-Tremblay, Coordinator
Charlevoix: Thursday, September 25th, Daniel Laforest, Interim Coordinator
2008-08-12 VIA EMAIL AND REGISTERED MAIL
OPEN LETTER ON EQUAL PARENTING
F4J Fathers 4 Justice Canada
202-812 12th Street,
New Westminster, BC V3M 4K1
Mr. Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader of the NDP
221 Broadview Ave, 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: Representatives Family Rights Movement
copy: All Federal Members of Parliament
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