Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure and privilege as member of Parliament for Prince George—Peace River to present two groups of petitions today.
The first consists of three petitions containing hundreds of name from Pouce Coupe, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd and Fort St. John in my riding, as well as Mississauga, Markham, Newmarket and even from that small city of Toronto.
The petitioners note that divorce can have a very detrimental effect on children if they are prevented from having meaningful relationships with both parents, grandparents and siblings. An equal shared parenting role for both spouses after divorce would be in the best interests of the child. They are calling upon Parliament to pass legislation to incorporate into the Divorce Act an equal shared parenting role for both parents following separation and guaranteed access to grandparents and siblings, as dictated by the best interests of the child.