Concern over grandparents’ custody rights
Re New law may help estranged grandparents,
Dec. 18 I found this article about grandparents’ rights quite concerning. Bill 34 does not require courts to consider grandparents in every custody case. Rather, it clarifies that “any other person” who may seek custody of or access to a child, or “each other person” seeking or entitled to custody/access, includes grandparents.
By my reading, it does not change the law because grandparents were already “other people” within the meaning of the act. A look at CanLII indicates that grandparents did bring applications for access under the old version of the CLRA and their cases were heard.
Wanda Candolini indicated in your article that her daughters and grandchildren live outside Ontario, which means they aren’t governed by Ontario family law. Other provinces have legislation that explicitly provides that grandparents may seek access.
On a more serious note, I find it very troubling that your article neglected to mention any legitimate reason an adult child might cut off contact with a parent. A review of the Star’s coverage of the Jeffrey Baldwin case might remind you that not all grandparents are benevolent.
A brief look at the various websites for Alienated Grandparents Anonymous (AGA) shows that it encourages and gives instructions for behaviour that, in another context (ex-partner, fan), we would easily recognize as stalking.
Your own interview subject mentions calling her daughters repeatedly over a period of years, apparently against their wishes. Your reporter apparently did not see this as cause for concern. Elinor Ireland, Toronto I applaud the efforts of MPP Michael Mantha, Wanda Candolini, the AGA and countless others who made this a reality for Ontario grandparents. Often it’s the case of parents showing power and control by not allowing or encouraging this special and necessary relationship for grandchildren with their grandparents. I do not believe parents can be considered “good and loving” if they don’t allow their children to be involved with “good and loving” grandparents. Elaine Mancini, Mississauga