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Adoption Disclosure Enacted
May 15, 2008 permalink
After many legislative turns, Ontario has enacted a new adoption disclosure law. It now awaits only the drafting of regulations and proclamation by the lieutenant governor.
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May 14, 2008
COAR Bulletin
Ontario has a new adoption disclosure law!
Bill 12 passed third reading today. As members of the adoption community watched, the Ontario legislature voted in favour of opening adoption records.
It was an emotional time for us. While we are very disappointed that the new law includes a disclosure veto we are thrilled that now more than half of the people affected by closed adoption records in Canada will be able to access information.
All of the Liberals present in the legislature voted in favour of the bill. All of the Conservatives voted against it. With the exception of one NDP member who abstained (Peter Kormos) all of the others present voted in favour. In the end an overwhelming majority of MPs voted for the bill.
The government now has to finish writing regulations, the guidelines that explain how the release of information will actually work. They will also plan an advertising campaign so that people understand the changes. It seems that in September 2008 adopted adults and birth parents may start filing vetoes. The following June we will be able to apply for information.
While it seems that we still have several months to wait, it pales in comparison to the 81 years, since adoption records were sealed in 1927, we have waited to get to this day.
In solidarity,
Michael Grand mgrand@uoguelph.ca
Karen Lynn ccnm@rogers.com
Wendy Rowney wrowney@rogers.comThe COAR Coordinating Committee
Source: email from COAR
