Garry Breitkreuz, M.P. Yorkton-Melville

News Release

Parental Rights Motion Headed for Debate in Parliament

"Who decides what is in the best-interests of the child: parents or government?"

For Immediate Delivery

March 25, 1998

Ottawa -- Garry Breitkreuz, M.P. for Yorkton-Melville, won the lottery and Canadian families may collect the prize. Breitkreuz’ name was picked in the draw for private members business and he introduced his parental rights and responsibilities motion (M-33) for debate in the House of Commons. Breitkreuz’ motion calls on Parliament to amend Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to (a) recognize the fundamental right of individuals to pursue family life free from undue interference by the state and (b) recognize the fundamental right, responsibility and liberty of parents to direct the upbringing of their children, and urge the legislative assemblies of the provinces to do likewise.

"Many parents feel their rights and responsibilities are threatened by the government’s attempts to fully implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - a UN charter that has never been approved by Parliament. Parents are afraid that their right and responsibility to properly discipline their children is threatened by the initiatives the Liberal government is undertaking," stated Breitkreuz. "They say if the Convention is fully implemented, government and the Courts will have absolute power to determine what is in the best interests of the child and parents will be powerless. Parents need safeguards to protect them from unnecessary interference by government bureaucrats. Children need the protection that this resolution would bring by strengthening the concept of parental responsibilities in law."

If approved by Parliament, Breitkreuz’ parental rights and responsibilities motion would send the same resolution to the legislatures of the ten provinces for debate and a vote. If seven provincial legislatures representing at least 50 per cent of the population approve the resolution, the Charter would be amended. A maximum of three provinces could opt-out of the amendment. If there were more than three dissenting provinces, the amendment would not have two-thirds support and the amendment would be defeated.

Breitkreuz will now appear before the Private Members Business Sub-Committee to argue to have his motion declared a "votable item" which would be eligible for three hours of debate in the House. Non-votable items are debated for just one hour and then dropped. "It is no easy task to have a private members initiative made votable. Thousands of concerned parents from all across Canada have been sending me petitions supporting my motion," said Breitkreuz. "Hopefully, this huge show of public support will make a difference."

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Parental Rights & Responsibilities Petitions available by contacting:

The Office of Garry Breitkreuz, M.P.