Justice committee  Absolutely, that is extremely important. We've had resolutions on that from the CBA in the past, and we congratulate the government for moving ahead in that way.

Justice committee  I guess the issue here is our definition of shared parenting and equality. We say that a focus on equality is misguided. We need to look at what's best for the children in each situation, and we don't want there to be a focus on parental rights. Again, these types of presumption

Justice committee  No.

Justice committee  I'm here to represent the CBA's position, and the CBA's position is expressed in my submission and in the comments. Language rights should be strengthened across the country, and with respect to divorce, French-speaking parents should be able to obtain a divorce in their language

Justice committee  This is inconsistent, and we are encouraging the government to look at that with respect to this bill.

Justice committee  Of course.

Justice committee  Absolutely.

Justice committee  Both.

Justice committee  In our view, we are here to represent the Canadian Bar Association, but the Canadian Bar Association's position advances the rights of children.

Justice committee  There is no CBA position on exactly how it is to come out, but I'll have my colleague speak on that.

Justice committee  I want to say first of all, the maximum contact principle that keeps being referred to is that the children should have maximum contact with the parents as is in their best interest. There is no such presumption now, nor should there be in future. This crosses political lines.

Justice committee  Thank you very much for the invitation to present the Canadian Bar Association's views on Bill C-78 today. Our submission represents the joint position of the CBA's family law section and the child and youth law section. My name is Melanie Del Rizzo. I'm a family lawyer practi