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e-4595 (Justice)
- Keywords
- Child abuse
- Joint child custody
- Parents
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the Government of Canada
- Parental alienation is the process through which a child becomes estranged from one parent as the result of the psychological manipulation of another parent;
- Statistics show that up to 25% of parents nationwide, engage in this behavior. based on current research, over 22 million adults have been targets of parental alienation and 3.9 million children have been alienated from one of their parents;
- Though these forms of behavior against the alienated parent can lead to mental health disorders such as, depression, anxiety and PTSD, the trauma it causes the child is much worse. the devastating effects on children include, but are not limited to, low self esteem, self hatred, anger, guilt, disconnection, lack of trust, depression, anxiety and PTSD; and
- There is absolutely no reason to keep your child from the other parent, unless that parent is a danger to the well being of the child. a person's ability to maintain a stable relationship with you, does not mean they are not capable of being a parent. a child is a human being, not a possession!
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Parliamentary Secretary James Maloney
Protecting children is and always has been a top priority for our government, children are our great nation’s future and protecting them is a responsibility our government takes very seriously, and we will continue to uphold that responsibility with unwavering dedication. When a parent believes a parenting arrangement order no longer meets the best interests of the child, they can seek a variation of that order, including variation of parenting time through the family justice system. Family courts can make several types of orders to address the situation without the need for families to involve the criminal law system.
Changes to the Divorce Act, which came into force on March 1, 2021, emphasize the importance of focusing on children’s best interests. The amendments include a list of best interests of the child criteria to help guide courts when deciding parenting arrangements. Courts must prioritize the safety, security and well-being of the child above all other considerations. A new best interests of the child criteria reflects the importance of a child’s relationship with each spouse. They include the child’s needs, given the child’s age and stage of development, the nature and strength of the child’s relationship with each spouse, and the presence of family violence and its impact on the ability and willingness of a person to care for and meet the needs of a child. In determining the best interests of the child, courts must consider each spouse’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other spouse. When making an order related to parenting time, courts must ensure that the child has as much time with each spouse that is in the child’s best interests.
Family courts are also best placed to address situations where children resist or refuse parenting time with a parent after parental separation or divorce. A child’s resistance or refusal to have contact with a parent should be examined within the context of family court orders and consideration of the best interest of the child, and not via the criminal courts.
- Open for signature
- October 11, 2023, at 9:09 a.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- January 9, 2024, at 9:09 a.m. (EDT)
- Presented to the House of Commons
-
Ziad Aboultaif
(Edmonton Manning)
January 31, 2024 (Petition No. 441-02043) - Government response tabled
- March 18, 2024
