Canada: Bill C-560 - An Act to amend the Divorce Act (equal parenting)

Article here. Excerpt:

'Canadian Member of Parliament Maurice Vellacott has once again introduced a bill that would establish a presumption of equal parenting in child custody cases nationwide. Here’s his press release on the bill.

Mr. Maurice Vellacott (Saskatoon—Wanuskewin, CPC) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-560, An Act to amend the Divorce Act (equal parenting) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

He said: Mr. Speaker, I am quite honoured in these few moments to be introducing a private member's bill which would direct the courts in regard to divorce to make equal shared parenting the presumptive arrangement in the best interest of the child except in proven cases of abuse or neglect.

Fifteen 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.'

The bill's introduction is here. The bill's text is here. It is also possible to follow all related debate and legislative developments here.