Mr. Speaker, when I was a young child I was given over to my grandparents to be looked after. They looked after me for many years. I understand that in the old days a parent not wishing to, or not able to look after a child of their own, their biological child, could, under custom within that group of people, give that responsibility over to someone else of their choosing; someone within the family. As I said with myself, my grandparents looked after me. It did not have to go through any legal process because there was no legal process at the time. I understand that it usually was done in consultation with the family and it was the choice of the family to accept. It was the choice of an individual to pass that child on, for a number of reasons; either for some tradition, necessity most often. Most often it was a desirable situation. It was good for the child and I think everybody had the child's safety and well-being in mind.

I do not believe things have changed too much today. The law has required individuals to do certain things to meet certain criteria now to meet the changing times. I do not think the principle of custom adoption has been eroded. I think it has been enhanced with certain Supreme Court judgments of some time ago. I think Sissons and Morrow would be some references that I may use.

I think that our society has complicated things a bit and I think that is what I was trying to deal with when the honourable Member asked me a question earlier on. I do not think the principle of custom adoption -- it is certainly not my intention to change that. I only want to emphasize that I think times have changed and customs, although they may be desired, must tolerate in some instances the changing times and requirements. That is briefly my understanding of it.