e-3298 Social affairs and equality
Tom Kmiec
Family law,Joint child custody
August 7, 2021, at 11:55 a.m. (EDT)
Petition to the Government of Canada
  Whereas:
  
    Children have the right to spend equal time with both of their parents in instances where parents separate;
    When one parent is awarded primary custody without due cause it deprives a child of the right to spend time with both parents;
    Studies show that children should spend as much time as possible with both parents to prevent relational disengagement;
    The justice system often gives primary custody to the mother, if the parents disagree;
    Most parental conflicts involve the child’s care; and
    If care is shared equally by default, the parents could focus their energy on their child(ren) instead of on the conflict.
  
  
    We, the undersigned, residents and citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to update legislation dealing with divorce and parental separation so that shared custody be the default option for children if their parents separate, and that both sides in a custody dispute be made to show why a 50-50 parenting arrangement would not be in the best interest of the child(ren).