Please send a note about this to the Justice Minister as soon as possible.
Congratulations to everyone who has been a part of this initiative and kudos to Maurice Vellacott.
The bill will not be available to view onine for a day or two and will be under the 40th parliament, second session Bill C-422
See below
Mr. Vellacott introduced a Private Member’s Bill this morning that would require a presumption of equal parenting. This is a BILL, not a MOTION. It’s # is C-422. Don’t refer to it as M-483 if contacting others such as politicians or media about this bill because M-483 as an equal parenting measure was terminated with the last election call, as most of you already know, so nobody will know what you are talking about if you refer to it incorrectly. Mr. Vellacott’s introductory statement in introducing this bill this morning was as follows (Check Against Delivery):
Intro Statement – Equal Shared Parenting PMB – June 16, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to be introducing a Private Member’s Bill today which would direct courts in regard to divorce, to make equal shared parenting the presumptive arrangement in the best interests of the child, except in proven cases of abuse or neglect.
Over 10 years ago, a Joint House-Senate committee presented to Parliament a report entitled “For the Sake of the Children.” That report urged Parliament to amend the Divorce Act to make equal shared parenting the normative determination by courts dealing with situations of divorce involving children. This non-partisan recommendation from that Joint House-Senate was based on compelling research made available to the committee members. Over the past ten years, the best research has continued to demonstrate the far superior outcomes for children, in general, when both parents – mom AND dad – are actively involved in their children’s lives, even if the parents divorce or separate.
Polling from the past two years demonstrates overwhelming support from Canadians for equal shared parenting. There is, in fact, slightly more support among women than men for equal parenting. This strong support from almost 80% of Canadians exists across the country, with the strongest regional support coming from Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
Canadians claiming to be Liberal and Bloc supporters, expressed the strongest endorsement for equal shared parenting, at 80.6% among Liberals and 82.9% among Bloc Quebecois supporters.
A variety of countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Australia, and various U.S. states, have implemented equal parenting, joint custody or shared parenting presumptive legislation, which has resulted in lowered court costs, less conflict and improved social outcomes for the children of divorce.
This bill is one of the most a-political, non-partisan pieces of legislation introduced in this current Parliament. I look forward to strong support for this important piece of legislation from all Members of Parliament who are committed to the best interests of our Canadian children.
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Support equal parenting bill C-422
Call & Write:
Your Member of Parliament
Federal Justice Minister, Rob Nicholson
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
and tell them to support MP Maurice Vellacott and this bill.
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June 21, 2009 at 20:45 |
HUGE “THANKS” TO MR. VELLACOTT AND TO ALL MP’S WHO SUPPORT BILL. please push hard and fast on equality for families. I am wondering tho, does equal really mean EQUAL??? and how are the agreements in place now going to be affected by this Bill C-422??? thanks for your time sharon and tony if this turns out as good as it sounds for the children and their families it will be one of the BEST LAWS CHANGED IN HISTORY!!!!!!!
August 6, 2009 at 11:01 |
I`m pinching myself, can`t believe the law may actually change. As someone who has been witness and endured the destruction of finances, leftover goodwill of ex-spouses and my son`s childhood experience, I am confounded that the existing laws were sanctioned in the first place. Intellgent people made these against all common sense, and have ignored too long the success of the shared parenting assumption in other countries. I am not religious in any way but am motivated to say a prayer that this bill comes to pass. Kudos to Maurice Vellacott for listening to a desperate segment of society and his courage to do something about it.
September 1, 2009 at 15:50 |
Amen. I have fought for 7 years since my two sons’ mother left me for her boyfriend. I have always been a family man, as involved as any dad since each of my boys were born – diapers, midnight feedings, hospital runs, meals, playtime, bedtime, coaching, school work, etc. My lawyer’s advice at the time was “courts still favour the mother; there are 5 family court judges – 3 will give you alternate weekends, 1 will give her alternate weekends and 1 will go 50-50… feel like gambling?” No. So we settled on 10 days in a 4 week period, maximizing my time without crossing the magic 40% threshold which would reduce the child support. The animosity from 7 years of seeing my sons and money go out the door has not been good for any involved. Not every parent – married or divorced – deserves shared access, or any access… but this Bill is long overdue.
September 1, 2009 at 16:03 |
Paul, thanks for your positive – Onward – Jim
September 3, 2009 at 18:27 |
[...] recomended reading: Brownstone: Tug of War Tug of War | ECW Press See Bill 4222 Equal Parenting Canada – Equal parenting bill C-422 introduced this morning in Parliament by MP Maurice Vellac… 11998 Study- For the Sake of Our Children Canada's Special Joint Committee on Custody and Access – [...]
October 7, 2009 at 19:19 |
The article is the Toronto Star stated that this bill has no chance of passing. Shame on our elected officials! It is time to stand up for the children and the best interests of all families. Children need to know and love both parents.
October 19, 2009 at 01:54 |
The introduction of this bill was like a breath of fresh air for good parents.(dad and mums who have been put through the ringer by the injustice of our court system)But it does not do any good sitting on the floor of the house of commons.Since its
first reading back in June not too much has been heard about it.When will the second and third reading proceed and when will it go to the senate after a vote in the commons.Pressure has to be put on MP’s for progress of this bill.God forbid we have another election in the next few months,that bill will die.