by Maurice Vellacott, MP. May 16, 2014.
– for the sake of the children –
OTTAWA – MP Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) spoke in the House of Commons today to urge support for his Private Member’s Bill, C-560. He said:
Mr. Speaker, My Private Member’s Bill, C-560, is about a child’s best interests; about a child’s right to two primary parents, and equalizing that access.
The current system is focused on parents’ rights – not children’s rights. Published decisions in our current adversarial system show a “cookie-cutter” approach of making one parent a primary parent and marginalizing the other to someone the children get to visit from time to time.
The legislation still on the books is three decades old. The social science research has conclusively revealed the need for children of divorce to have the significant involvement of both parents. Bill C-560 would provide that while retaining sufficient judicial discretion for custom parenting plans.
A full response to questions raised about the bill is found in a Myths and Facts document already sent to all MPs and Senators. I urge my colleagues to actually read that document.
The vast majority of the public – over 75% – supports equal shared parenting, so I urge my colleagues to support Bill C-560 at 2nd reading to get it to Committee to hear witnesses and leading researchers, and make adjustments as necessary.
Our children deserve nothing less. Do it for the sake of the children – for the best interests of the children!
Maurice Vellacott, MP, Saskatoon-Wanuskewin
Media Release
May 16, 2014
For further information and comment, call (613) 992-1966 or (613) 297-2249; email: maurice.vellacott.a1@parl.gc.ca
RWC Note: Please contact your MP to support Bill C-560.
MP contact information at: www.parl.gc.ca