HALIFAX, NS – The Progressive Conservatives’ renewed their call today for the rights of grandparents to be enshrined in law.     

Justice Minister Ross Landry introduced a bill today called the “Grandparents’ Rights Affirmation Act” that gives no additional rights to grandparents and does nothing more than insert the word “grandparents” in a clause where it adds no value. The Minister’s change grants grandparents no right that they didn't already have.

The Justice Minister continued to support the NDP position that “enshrining access for grandparents or other family members – other than parents - in legislation is not the way to go.”

“I think we can all agree that the relationship between grandchild and grandparent benefits the family unit but the NDP are doing nothing to protect it,” said PC Caucus Chair Keith Bain. “If the safety and the well-being of the child aren’t at risk, then we should do everything we can to ensure that children’s access to grandparents is protected.”

The Progressive Conservatives’ proposed amendments to the Maintenance and Custody Act adds a definition of “grandparents” and outlines the rights of grandparents in custody determination.

“Our Bill puts the best interest of the child above all else,” said Bain. "Often, grandparents enrich the lives of their grandchildren, who benefit from the experience and love of their older relatives."

The proposed PC legislation requires a consideration of grandparent access in all access and custody orders and provides that a person who has custody of a child shall not unreasonably place obstacles to personal contact between the child and the child’s grandparents.

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