SJCA Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
(Meeting No. 13)
Tuesday, March 31, 1998
The Special Joint Committee on Child Custody and Access met at 9:00 o’clock a.m., this day, in the Ontario Room, Royal York Hotel, Toronto, the Joint Chairs, the Honourable Landon Pearson and Roger Gallaway presiding.
Members of the Committee present:
From the Senate: The Honourable Senators Erminie Cohen, Anne Cools, Mabel DeWare, Duncan Jessiman and Landon Pearson.
From the House of Commons: Carolyn Bennett, Paul Forseth, Roger Gallaway, Judi Longfield, Peter Mancini and Caroline St-Hilaire.
Other Member present: Paul Szabo.
In attendance: Ron Stewart, Research Advisor.
Witnesses: As individuals: Deborah L. Merklinger, Family Meditation and Dr. Marty McKay, Clinical Psychologist. From the Ontario Association of Social Workers: Barbara A. Chisholm, Child and Family Consultant and Gillian McCloskey, Associate Executive Director. From the Assaulted Women’s Helpline: Beth Bennet, Program Director and Leslie Sheridan-Silver. From the Ontarion Association of Interval and Transition Houses: Eileen Morrow, Lobby Co-ordinator and Ruth Hislop, Vice-President. From Families Against Deadbeats: Renate Diorio, Founder and Ilene McGillis, Member. From the Girl Guides of Canada: Elaine Paterson, Chief Commissioner and Margaret Treloar, President Elect. As Individuals: John Vander Kooij; Saro Kumar-McKenna and Sheila Kumar-McKenna.
Pursuant to its Orders of Reference from the Senate dated October 28, 1997 and from the House of Commons dated November 18, 1997 the Committee resumed its study relating to child custody and access.
The witnesses made opening statements and answered questions.
At 12:14 o’clock p.m. the sitting was suspended.
At 1:04 o’clock p.m. the sitting resumed.
Witnesses: From In Search for Justice: Ross Virgin, President. From Stepfamilies of Canada: Nardina Grande, President. From Equal Parents of Canada: Eric D. Tarkington. From the Coalition of Canadian Men’s Organizations: J. Kirby Inwood. From Fathers for Justice: Rick Morrison, President. From Kids Need Both Parents: Wayne Allen, Director. From Second Spouses of Canada: Dori Gospodaric, Co-President. From Balance Beam: Tony Vorsteveld, Facilitator. As Individuals: Patrick Ellis; Trevor Lynch; Cynthia Marchildon; Wendy Dennis; Greg Kershaw; Walter Fox, Stan E. Gal; Peter Meier; Phil Pocock; Frank Heutehaus and Michael Cochrane.
The witnesses made opening statements and answered questions.
At 5:19 o’clock p.m., the Committee adjourned.
RICHARD RUMAS and CATHERINE PICCININ
Joint Clerks of the Committee