Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sadly there are times out there when a family relationship has come to an end and a divorce is imminent. Each experience is unique to its own process that has led to the final chapter. It is my view, and by all accounts, this can be one of the saddest experiences a family can go through. Only second, of course, to the untimely death of a loved one that comes far too soon.

In the closing chapters, sometimes in these sad events what is far too often overlooked is the stress and the impacts it has on young children. They stand innocently by as the erosion of a once special relationship and a world falls apart in front of them. In their view, nothing but bitter conflict is all they now see.

Children of all ages, Mr. Speaker, have a unique talent. They can find ways that we could never conceive of. They can find ways of believing that they are the focus of the blame and they are the reason why these sad events must be happening. They have a talent to say things like did Mommy buy these shoes for me I needed or even wanted for school and now we don’t have any money, so was it my fault that things are bad.

Mr. Speaker, once the spiralling fall begins, many of us know so many examples of where the destruction seems to find no end and, regardless of the objectives, collateral damage of the children often happens. Oddly enough, these campaigns are launched in the names of these children. Now, not all relationships, in fairness, and in the wake of destruction some are able to find a peaceful end without scorch and burn, but these blessings are often examples that are far too uncommon.

To no surprise, this Legislature, even with its best intentions, could not save every marriage. Today I rise to talk about this matter not because I want to talk about failed marriages, but rather I want to talk about the impacts it has on children and what can be done. In Alberta and British Columbia there is a court-ordered program called Parenting After Separation. Mr. Speaker, I brought this issue to the Department of Justice and they’re certainly looking at it right now. It is a program that works with parents to help them learn and understand that their actions, their words and their behaviour has a significant impact on their children.

I don’t have time to go through the statistics of what happens to children in broken homes, but, Mr. Speaker, we can come to the aid of these families when no one else will. Mr. Speaker, this program promotes positive communication. Mr. Speaker, let’s bring a little hope back to families during this crisis. Mr. Speaker, we can do better. Let’s help everyone through these times. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.