PC's Oppose Adoption Disclosure

May 30, 2005 permalink

On May 17 John Tory (PC), leader of the opposition, suggested in a question to the Ontario Provincial Premier that opponents of the adoption disclosure law should get more time at the hearing. The bill has been referred to the eleven member Standing Committee on Social Policy with eight Liberals, two PC's and one NDP member. At an earlier committee vote, only Ted Chudleigh, PC/Halton, voted against the bill.

The committee held hearings, reported in the Hansard of May 18 and May 19.

According to the following (partisan) spectator, the two PC members continue to obstruct the bill:

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Monday, May 30, 2005

Many of you will have seen The Star today and the announcement that the Liberals are introducing a DV. It will only apply to parents who can demonstrate that adoptee access to information will cause them significant emotional or physical harm. I'm not crazy about it but it's better than no bill at all. The government is assuring us that it will not become a regular dv and that applicants will have to jump through some hoops to get it and that the adoptee can appeal. So it's not the end of the world.

The clause by clause hearing was more positive than I had anticipated. Sterling and Jackson were the PCs and were, predictably, annoying but so far none of their amendments have passed. As we anticipated, they did not finish today so we will be back there tomorrow. The PCs are calling for a dv and no retroactivity. Big surprise.

The Liberals are holding firm and I really have to mention Ernie Parsons who was amazing today. Many of you will remember that he was just awful at the committee hearings for Bill 77. But he has completely changed his mind and made the most wonderful eloquent speeches today in support of both mothers and adoptees needing to know. It really was amazing.

We are not out of the woods yet since the PCs may try to stall tomorrow and ensure that the clause by clause gets held over until next week which will delay third reading. Or they may try to filibuster at third reading. But tonight I am feeling more positive than I have in a while.

Wendy

In this case, the Liberals are moving to reduce the power of social services over families, while the PC's are trying to keep the status quo.