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e-6626 (Justice)

E-petition
Initiated by Bijan Rafii from Richmond Hill, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • Extensive and consistent social science research shows that children of separated or divorced parents experience significantly better physical, emotional, social, and academic outcomes when they spend equal or near-equal time with both parents, barring safety concerns;
  • Many countries with strong equal shared parenting legislation report improved child and family outcomes, including reductions in parental conflict, litigation, and domestic violence;
  • In Canada, public opinion polling since 2007 has consistently shown that 70% or more Canadians—across all genders, regions, and political affiliations—support legislation that establishes a presumption of equal shared parenting in child custody matters; and
  • A rebuttable presumption of equal shared parenting allows for judicial discretion and ensures that exceptions can be made where it is not in the best interests of the child due to abuse, neglect, or other safety concerns;
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to amend the Divorce Act to establish a rebuttable presumption of equal shared parenting—defined as joint decision-making responsibility and equal or maximized practicable parenting time—is in the best interests of the child, except where evidence demonstrates that such an arrangement would not be appropriate due to concerns for the child’s safety or well-being.
Open for signature
July 16, 2025, at 10:06 a.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
November 13, 2025, at 10:06 a.m. (EDT)
Photo - Larry Brock
Brantford—Brant South—Six Nations
Conservative Caucus
Ontario