HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-012-06
Cl~n
REPORT
CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Meeting:
General Purpose and Administration Committee
Date:
May 8, 2006
Report #: CLD-012-06
File #:
By-law #:
Subject:
BillS - An Act to amend the Children's Law Reform Act
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report CLD-012-06 be received; and
2. THAT a letter of support for Bill 8, Children's Law Reform Amendment Act, 2005
be forwarded to the Honourable Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of Children and
Youth Services, Kim Craitor, MPP, Niagara Falls and to John O'Toole, MPP,
Durham; and
3. THAT lena Burns be advised of Council's decision.
Or
1. THAT Report CLD-012-06 be received for information; and
2. THAT lena Burns be advised of Council's decision.
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eVlewe y: U LA-J c.v
Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
PLB*
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506
REPORT NO.: CLD-012-06
PAGE20f2
BACKGROUND
At the Council meeting held on April 18, 2006, lena Burns appeared as a delegation
requesting Council's support of Bill 8, Children's Law Reform Amendment Act, 2005 (the
Act). She stated that there are many grandparents who are being denied access to their
grandchildren during custody hearings and it is her hope that the passage of Bill 8 will
assist grandparents who find themselves in these situations.
Bill 8 amends the Act to emphasize the importance of children's relationships with their
parents and grandparents. The bill amends Part III of the Act dealing with Custody,
Access and Guardianship as follows:
(a) A new section will be added to require parents and others with custody of children
to refrain from unreasonably placing obstacles to personal relations between the
children and their grandparents.
(b) Subsection 24 (2) currently contains a list of matters that a court must consider
when determining the best interests of a child. Bill 8 amends that subsection to
include a specific reference to the importance of maintaining emotional ties
between children and grandparents.
(c) A new subsection will be added to require a court that is considering custody of or
access to a child to give effect to the principle that a child should have as much
contact with each parent and grandparent as is consistent with the best interests of
the child.
(d) A new subsection will be added to require a court that is considering custody of a
child to take into consideration each applicant's willingness to facilitate as much
contact between the child and each parent and grandparent as is consistent with
the best interests of the child.
The Bill received second reading on November 24, 2005 and has been referred to the
Standing Committee on Social Policy.
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
pass either of the following recommendations:
1. THAT Report CLD-012-06 be received; and
2. THAT a letter of support for Bill 8, Children's Law Reform Amendment Act, 2005
be forwarded to the Honourable Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of Children and
Youth Services, Kim Craitor, MPP, Niagara Falls and to John O'Toole, MPP,
Durham; and
3. THAT lena Burns be advised of Council's decision.
Or
1. THAT Report CLD-012-06 be received for information; and
2. THAT lena Burns be advised of Council's decision.
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506