Bill C-208 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Divorce Act (marriage counselling required before divorce granted)

This bill was last introduced in the 38th Parliament, 1st Session, which ended in November 2005.

Sponsor

Paul Szabo  Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Not active, as of Oct. 13, 2004
(This bill did not become law.)

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Divorce ActRoutine Proceedings

October 13th, 2004 / 3:10 p.m.
See context

Liberal

Paul Szabo Liberal Mississauga South, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-208, an act to amend the Divorce Act (marriage counselling required before divorce granted).

Mr. Speaker, the Vanier Institute on the Family reported that one out of every two marriages in Canada ends up in divorce and that 50% of children will experience family breakdowns before their 18th birthday.

A joint Senate-Commons committee discussed custody and access issues, particularly in a report called “For the Sake of the Children”, and one of its recommendations was to require mandatory counselling prior to the granting of a divorce.

I am pleased to introduce the bill to enact the committee's recommendation. I look forward to it earning the support of all hon. members.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)