COAR 2003 Election Survey - Parkdale-High Park Results


Name Party Connection with adoption Types of legislation supported for adult adoptee access to original birth certificate. Options given:
i) unconditional,
ii) with contact veto,
iii) with disclosure veto)
Types of legislation supported for birth parent access to adoptee's amended birth certificate. Options given:
i) unconditional,
ii) with contact veto,
iii) with disclosure veto)
Comments
Margo Duncan NDP       Thank you very much for your request about our policies regarding adoption in Ontario. Marilyn Churley, the NDP MPP for Toronto Danforth, has been fighting for adoption access reform in Ontario. We lag behind other provinces such as Newfoundland and British Columbia. It is outrageous that we still have not made positive changes to a clearly antiquated process by allowing adult adoptees to access their own adoption records and medical information.

Howard Hampton and the NDP would move quickly to pass the Adoption Disclosure Statute Law Amendment Act, a law developed and championed by Toronto-Danforth MPP Marilyn Churley. Bill 77 would improve access to records for adoptees and birth parents. This much-needed adoption disclosure would save lives by giving adult adoptees access to their own adoption records and family medical history.

Marilyn Churley's Private bill would:

  • Provide access to birth registration and adoption records for adult adoptees
  • Provide access to birth registration and adoption records for birth parents
  • Implement a Contact Veto
  • Amend the Child and Family Services Act to provide, upon request, counseling for adopted persons, birth parents and others who may be affected by disclosure of adoption information

The NDP would save lives by improving access to records for adoptees and birth parents. Recent research on genetic diseases clearly shows that keeping adoptees in the dark about their medical history actually sentences many of them to premature deaths.

The NDP would also increase funding for front-line workers in public adoption-related services, and we would review the legislation regarding crown wards to ensure that that as many children can be moved to permanent family situations as soon as possible. We would also review the supports provided to families for adoption-related expenses.

We would also support the child advocate in publishing an annual report and speaking out on behalf of children in care, including making recommendations about how to move children into permanent, stable families.

Dick Field Freedom Party none see comment with contact vetoes OR with disclosure vetoes I would allow birth records to be seen by an adult adoptee (needed in the modern era for possible genetic medical use) also to satisfy the sometimes deep emotional needs of the adoptee. I would allow birth parents to register at any time to express their wish to meet their adopted child. However, if an objection is registered by the adoptive parents (or parent) then I think a family court judge should meet with all parties to render an appropriate judgement (appealable) to a higher court if necessary.

A friend of mine sought his birth parents for 32 years and finally located them, his wife negotiated a meeting which satisfied all parties. I think it is necassary, but fraught with dangers in some cases. His case worked out quite well and it helped his well being immensly.

Re: birth parent access: Too many qualifyers necessary for some of these questions. eg. I would not want a birth parent to stop inquiries for all time at the time of birth. Too emotional.

I am empathetic to the problems. I am particularly incensed at the present idea that native/white children are assumed by native bands to be natives, regardless of the adoptee or foster child's wishes. My granddaughter is half native and half anglosaxon irish. We have no problems but white people are not subservient to natives or visa versa. Her parents (my daughter) are both dead. Good luck in your efforts.

Neil Spiegel Green adoptee & immediate family member is adopted with contact vetoes with contact vetoes There may be more conditional structures required to implement legislation like this fairly. However if I understand the intent of your short-from policy I would state my answers as above.

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Page last updated: September 28, 2003