Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. It’s

unfortunate that Cabinet is going to abstain from the vote today, but I thank my colleagues over here who are going to support this motion.

I have seen first-hand, for myself, the devastation noncustodial parents face. Their money might be good enough, but they aren’t, and in a country like Canada that is just not good enough. I know the Minister of Justice talks about the NWT Family Law having the best interests of the children at heart, and so does the federal Divorce Act. But if this was the case, why would there be a movement, not just in Canada but across the world, to protect the rights

of both parents, specifically fathers? Why would many fathers feel our current system is biased against fathers? Also, it is riddled with false accusations against either side, with no substantiation of those allegations. I think that, fundamentally, is a breakdown in our current system. I believe we do need to fix it.

There was a report commissioned by the Liberal government a number of years ago called “For the Sake of the Children.” None of the recommendations in that report have been acted upon. Mr. Maurice Vellecott, MP from Saskatoon–Wanuskewin, is the MP in Ottawa who is spearheading an effort to open up the federal Divorce Act so we can see a move toward equal and shared parenting. What is wrong with equal and shared parenting, where both parents have equal access to the children? It’s only fair; it’s only just.

Again, I wanted to thank the Members who are going to support the motion that is before us today. Mahsi.