Suggested Reading List - Collection of PA Titles

I prepared this reading list some time ago, but re-post this link (it is a pdf) for those who wish to share it as a resource.

In case you wish to SUGGEST other titles please click here for an data-entry form. (You will be prompted for Author, Title, ISBN (useful for Chapters/Amazon search), Publisher, year,#pages and Category - among other useful references).

June 16 - MP Velacott introduces PMB C-422

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to be introducing a Private Member’s Bill today which would direct courts in regard to divorce, to make equal shared parenting the presumptive arrangement in the best interests of the child, except in proven cases of abuse or neglect.

Over 10 years ago, a Joint House-Senate committee presented to Parliament a report entitled “For the Sake of the Children.” That report urged Parliament to amend the Divorce Act to make equal shared parenting the normative determination by courts dealing with situations of divorce involving children.

This non-partisan recommendation from that Joint House-Senate was based on compelling research made available to the committee members. Over the past ten years, the best research has continued to demonstrate the far superior outcomes for children, in general, when both parents – mom AND dad – are actively involved in their children's lives, even if the parents divorce or separate.Polling from the past two years demonstrates overwhelming support from Canadians for equal shared parenting.

There is, in fact, slightly more support among women than men for equal parenting. This strong support from almost 80% of Canadians exists across the country, with the strongest regional support coming from Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

Canadians claiming to be Liberal and Bloc supporters, expressed the strongest endorsement for equal shared parenting, at 80.6% among Liberals and 82.9% among Bloc Quebecois supporters. A variety of countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Australia, and various U.S. states, have implemented equal parenting, joint custody or shared parenting presumptive legislation, which has resulted in lowered court costs, less conflict and improved social outcomes for the children of divorce.

This bill is one of the most a-political, non-partisan pieces of legislation introduced in this current Parliament. I look forward to strong support for this important piece of legislation from all Members of Parliament who are committed to the best interests of our Canadian children.

Media Release:

Maurice Vellacott, MP
Saskatoon-Wanuskewin

Media Advisory

Equal Shared Parenting Private Member’s Bill Introduced

Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009; 1 pm

From: Maurice Vellacott, MP (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin)

To: Media

Re. Press conference to announce Equal Shared Parenting Private Member’s Bill

Where: Charles Lynch Press Conference Room 130-S

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has written, “These groups demanded that the ‘custody and access’ regime created by the Divorce Act of 1985 be replaced with a ‘shared parent’ regime in which both parents are given equal rights to bring up their children. These are sensible and overdue suggestions, and the fact they are being made shows that men and women are struggling to correct the rights revolution, so that equality works for everyone.”

MP Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) will be speaking on the introduction Tuesday of Private Member’s Bill C-422, which would direct courts in regard to divorce, to make equal shared parenting the presumptive arrangement in the best interests of the child, except in proven cases of abuse or neglect.

Vellacott will be joined by Quebec MP Stephen Blaney, Liberal MP Raymonde Folco, John Menear, Barrister & Solicitor and Founding Member of the Canadian Equal Parenting Council and by Kristin Titus, Co-President of the Canadian Equal Parenting Council.

Polling from the past two years demonstrates overwhelming support from Canadians for equal shared parenting. There is slightly more support among women than men for equal parenting. This strong support from almost 80% of Canadians exists across the country, with the strongest regional support coming from Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Canadians claiming to be Liberal and Bloc supporters, expressed the strongest endorsement for equal shared parenting, at 80.6% among Liberals and 82.9% among Bloc Quebecois supporters.

Countries, such as Denmark, Belgium and Norway, as well as some U.S. states, have implemented equal parenting, joint custody or shared parenting presumptive legislation, resulting in lower court costs, less conflict and improved social outcomes for the children of divorce.

– 30 –

For further comment, call (613) 992-1966 or (613) 297-2249

Maurice Vellacott, MP
Saskatoon-Wanuskewin

Avis aux médias

Dépôt d’un projet de loi d’initiative parlementaire
sur le partage égal du rôle parental

Date : Mercredi, 17 juin 2009, 13 h

De : Maurice Vellacott, député de Saskatoon-Wanuskewin

À : Médias

Objet : Conférence de presse pour annoncer le projet de loi d’initiative parlementaire
sur le partage égal du rôle parental

Endroit : Salle de conférence de presse Charles Lynch (130-S)

Le chef libéral Michael Ignatieff a écrit que : « Ces groupes ont demandé que le régime des droits de garde et de visite créé par la Loi sur le divorce en 1985 soit remplacé par un régime de partage du rôle parental dans le cadre duquel les deux parents ont tout autant le droit d’élever leurs enfants. Il s’agit de suggestions judicieuses dont la mise en œuvre a trop tardé; leur formulation témoigne de ce que les hommes et les femmes luttent pour corriger la révolution des droits et faire en sorte d’obtenir l’égalité pour tous. »

Maurice Vellacott, député de Saskatoon-Wanuskewin, prendra la parole mardi lors du dépôt du projet de loi d’initiative parlementaire C‑422, qui exigera que les tribunaux, dans les causes de divorce, appliquent systématiquement le principe de partage égal du rôle parental dans l’intérêt de l’enfant, sauf dans les cas avérés de mauvais traitements et de négligence.

À M. Vellacott s’ajouteront le député de Québec Stephen Blaney, la député de Libéral Raymonde Folco, John Menear, avocat et membre fondateur du Conseil canadien pour le rôle parental égal, et Kristin Titus, co-présidente du Conseil canadien pour le rôle parental égal.

Les sondages des deux dernières années confirment que la population canadienne appuie massivement l’égalité du rôle parental, l’appui étant légèrement plus élevé chez les femmes que chez les hommes. Près de 80 % des Canadiens d’un bout à l’autre du pays soutiennent l’idée, l’appui le plus vif se manifestant au Québec et dans les provinces de l’Atlantique. Les plus fervents partisans se réclament du Parti libéral et du Bloc québécois, soit 80,6 % chez les partisans libéraux et 82,9 % chez les partisans bloquistes.

Des pays comme le Danemark, la Belgique et la Norvège, ainsi que certains États des États-Unis, ont mis en œuvre des dispositions législatives privilégiant le rôle parental égal, la garde partagée ou le partage du rôle parental, ce qui a permis de diminuer les frais judiciaires, de réduire les conflits et d’améliorer le sort des enfants du divorce sur le plan social.

– 30 –

Information : (613) 992-1966 ou (613) 297-2249

PAAO Pamphlets now in Edmonton Library System

I can now confirm that the (excellent + informative) "PAAO Pamphlets" have been distributed among all 20 branches of the Edmonton Public Library System after having checked around at a few (Central/ Stanley Milner, Old Strathcona and Bonnie Doon branches). Hopefully this will help raise awareness and drive potential supporters toward this blog.

Unfortunately, none chose to post our poster (image to left - which was rather disappointing, as the colour 8x11's took some effort and had our contact information listed) but part of the reason may be there was no specific "dated event". A point to remember for next time (from instructions they seem to only accept event notices 8-3 weeks beforehand).

A member shares some resources

Here are some resources suggested by a very generous and committed parent who has been alienated from her children for almost 8 years. After a very long conversation, she was kind enough to send me some of the resources she feels could help others deal with Parental Alienation (PA).

1) Alternatives to Traditional Family Law.

Many people have not found their experience of our adversarial legal system very satisfying. I believe it is too costly, too biased towards perpetual litigation and rewards dysfunctional behaviour rather than promoting healthy family interactions. That said, sometimes it is necessary.

In recent years, alternatives to just engaging a divorce lawyer have sprung up - collaborative practice. They are usually former family law lawyers, paralegals or family counsellors who have become disenchanted with the existing, traditional practices of the Family Law system. While their hourly rates may be about the same, they can end up costing far less in time, money and distress. In my experience these encounters can de-escalate tense situations and isolate key, contentious issues. Of course they require each party to act in "good faith" to be truly successful, but if these method fail there is nothing stopping one from moving to a more traditional route and retaining a lawyer.

2) Legal References on Parental Alienation (PA)

A meta search of various legal databases on Case Law regarding PA (updated: May 18, 2008), this provides some examples of evolving precedent case law in the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain and Europe.

For Canadian Legal Research, CanLII is indispensable (see thumbnail image above). It is a free database that contains ALL current (and increasingly as historical records become converted) past legal decisions in just about all jurisdictions and branches of the Canadian Justice system. Here is a specific reference to an Alberta Queens Bench Decision released Dec 12, 2004 involving Parental Alienation.

3) Academic Articles and Resources about PA

"Cobwebbed1" links to various resources about PAS compiled by the former "founder of Parental Alienation Behaviour Theory", Dr. Richard GARDNER (now deceased). It appears to be maintained and is linked to Dr. Richard WARSHAK's (author of "Divorce Poison") very useful resources/website.

4) An Alternative Viewpoint

While checking the links above via Google, I found what I will merely characterize as "an alternative viewpoint". This link was not endorsed or provided by our supporter - and let me make it perfectly clear that I do NOT subscribe to it on many levels, but it may be instructive to some and I will leave it at that.

Footnotes:

1) "Cobwebbed" is a term I have run across that describes many of the links that may still exist as abandoned or moribund websites - yet still are excellent resources.

Sat May 30 - International Childrens Day EVENT

Here is a copy of Rhonda's Speech.

REAL Women Annual Conference, Edmonton Jun 6

I just found out that *REAL Women Canada is holding their Annual Conference in Edmonton this weekend from Friday June 5 - Saturday June 6! (I am the last to know these things). They have a stellar line-up of speakers including long-standing President Gwendolyn LANDBOLT - a women I have never met but who commands my respect for single-handedly (apparently) holding the organization together for years. That takes guts!

I am trying to get a table for Alberta PAAO display.

* Realistic, Equal, Active and for LIFE!

CBC Radio "The Current" features Parental Alienation.

Too late I found out that CBC Radio's morning show "The Current" with Anna-Marie TREMONTI had a segment about PAS today, including an interview with Rhonda Pisanello - a strong supporter of Alberta PAAO and leader of KAPAAO - a kids support program initiated by PAAO HQ in Ontario.   Interviewed on the program was Nick Bala, a Prof of Family Law at Queen's University who had presented some of his research into Canadian Cases of PAS to the conference in Toronto in March 2009, as well as Registered Psychologist Mary Korpach from Surrey BC. 

Here is a link to the program (part 3/3) where you can listen to the segment and website:

Parental Alienation

Rhonda Pisarello was eight years old when her parents divorced. Her sisters were seven and one. Rhonda's father was awarded custody of the three girls. And her mother was granted the right to see them a few days each week. A year after the divorce, Rhonda's father remarried. Rhonda is an adult now and she picked up the story from there. We aired a clip.

Rhonda's story has all the hallmarks of what we now call Parental Alienation. The number of court cases that involve Parental Alienation is getting more attention these days but it is not new to our court system.

Nick Bala has just completed the first study of how Canadian courts and judges have handled Parental Alienation over the last 20 years. He's a professor in the Faculty of Law at Queen's University and he was in Kingston, Ontario.

Sat May 30 - International Children's Day

ALBERTA PAAO has been asked to participate in an International Children's Day Event on Sat May 30, 2009 at Wibert McIntyre (Gazebo) Park in Old Strathcona, Edmonton AB from 1000h-1400h.

The Event will celebrate the universal rights of children, including the right to have strong, loving and healthy relationships with both parents.

This event is organized by ECMAS (Equitable Child Maintenance & Access Society - Edmonton) and there are plans to have some speakers representing/supporting children's rights, live music, children's face-painters, balloons - among other festivities.

We shall be there distributing PAAO brochures.

Rhonda PISANELLO from Rimbey will speak about KAPAAO (text).

2009 PAAD RIMBEY a sucess!

Rhonda Pisanello organized a PAAD Event for kids in Rimbey AB on Sat April 25 and although it had to move indoors, it was a great idea. We are starting to build on an idea here and I hope this momentum continues!



Here is Rhonda's account.

Just a few photos of our PAAD yesterday. Due to lousy weather we moved inside so as expected it was fairly quiet. We did get some hearts on our heart tree though - quite a few considering the size of the crowd. 

A number of people had personal experiences with PAS and were relieved that there were resources available for them to network with others and encouraged us to keep on.

Anyway it was a good day for our first here in Rimbey with a visit from our local paper's editor and the RCMP.

The Balloon fairy did a wonderful job too. She kept us entertained. The cookie decorating kept adults and kids alike occupied too.

A sincere thank you to the following local agencies for participating and contributing to making the event a success. 1. Victim Services of Rimbey 2. The Parent Link Centre 3.  Neighbourhood Place 4. FCSS

I couldn't have done this without them at all.

Bye for now, Rhonda

Edmonton PAAD a SUCESS!

After our 11th hour reprieve, the Edmonton 2009 PAAD (Parental Alienation Awareness DAY) went off without a hitch (almost). The venue was the indoors Old Strathcona Farmers Market so we did not have to experience the wintry weather and - of course - the market did a booming business as it normally does on a Saturday.

Public "uptake" was also good - certainly more effective than last year - due to the large number of families, inquisitive visitors and a "browsing-friendly" atmosphere, sheltered from the harsh elements. Everyone reported a handful of deep, well-informed conversations. Many encouraged and were supportive of our efforts to form a local provincial organization to provide further information and network about PA and PAS issues.



We handed out many www.PAawareness.org brochures and we even sold a few workbooks for middle school children written by Dr. Amy BAKER entitled "I don't want to choose", which is a useful tool to help them deal with some of the issues faced in PA.

A huge thanks to Jerry, Cathy, Jim and Lisa (for trying to make it) - but especially to Chris T who was so generous with his time and financial support.

Keep in touch so we can get ready for next year!