Author: Frank Simons
produce emotional stresses and strains
produce emotional stresses and strains
produce emotional stresses and strains
which are hard for anyone to bear why
which are hard for anyone to bear why
which are hard for anyone to bear why
are so many families falling victim to
are so many families falling victim to
are so many families falling victim to
conflict and deterioration well you need
conflict and deterioration well you need
conflict and deterioration well you need
the wisdom of Solomon it will answer
the wisdom of Solomon it will answer
that but our next guest says you only
the wisdom of Solomon it will answer
that but our next guest says you only
that but our next guest says you only
have to look at the family court system
have to look at the family court system
have to look at the family court system
to find the major culprit frank simons
to find the major culprit frank simons
to find the major culprit frank simons
is the author of courts from hell family
is the author of courts from hell family
is the author of courts from hell family
and justice in Canada Frank just a
and justice in Canada Frank just a
and justice in Canada Frank just a
cursory glance at your table of contents
cursory glance at your table of contents
cursory glance at your table of contents
might suggest that you're a bitter
might suggest that you're a bitter
might suggest that you're a bitter
victim of a bad divorce who now holds
victim of a bad divorce who now holds
victim of a bad divorce who now holds
judges lawyers and feminists responsible
judges lawyers and feminists responsible
judges lawyers and feminists responsible
for all the ills in the world is that an
for all the ills in the world is that an
for all the ills in the world is that an
accurate description I wouldn't go that
accurate description I wouldn't go that
far actually I don't want this book and
accurate description I wouldn't go that
far actually I don't want this book and
far actually I don't want this book and
I didn't make this book as an expose of
I didn't make this book as an expose of
I didn't make this book as an expose of
my personal situation but during the in
my personal situation but during the in
my personal situation but during the in
the last 13 years it has opened my eyes
the last 13 years it has opened my eyes
the last 13 years it has opened my eyes
with regards to the court system and as
with regards to the court system and as
with regards to the court system and as
you pointed out in your introduction
you pointed out in your introduction
you pointed out in your introduction
there will be many many kids that will
there will be many many kids that will
there will be many many kids that will
not see their fathers this Christmas
not see their fathers this Christmas
not see their fathers this Christmas
there'll be many fathers that will not
there'll be many fathers that will not
there'll be many fathers that will not
see their kids not because they are
see their kids not because they are
see their kids not because they are
incapable parents but simply because the
incapable parents but simply because the
court has decided that they will
incapable parents but simply because the
court has decided that they will
court has decided that they will
overrule God's given right for equal
overrule God's given right for equal
overrule God's given right for equal
parenting now why do you why do you
parenting now why do you why do you
parenting now why do you why do you
think that family chords are biased in
think that family chords are biased in
think that family chords are biased in
favor of women well I I very much
favor of women well I I very much
favor of women well I I very much
believe it's because it's a very
believe it's because it's a very
believe it's because it's a very
self-serving industry even some of the
self-serving industry even some of the
self-serving industry even some of the
research that's been done and most
research that's been done and most
research that's been done and most
notably the liberal document that was
notably the liberal document that was
notably the liberal document that was
done in nineteen research that was done
done in nineteen research that was done
done in nineteen research that was done
which ended up in the report for the
which ended up in the report for the
sake of the children in 1998 had 38
which ended up in the report for the
sake of the children in 1998 had 38
sake of the children in 1998 had 38
recommendations which today none have
recommendations which today none have
recommendations which today none have
been acted upon and within that they
been acted upon and within that they
been acted upon and within that they
basically show that since the
basically show that since the
basically show that since the
introduction of no-fault divorce
introduction of no-fault divorce
introduction of no-fault divorce
the divorce rate has gone from 8% up to
the divorce rate has gone from 8% up to
the divorce rate has gone from 8% up to
somewhere around 50% at that time
somewhere around 50% at that time
somewhere around 50% at that time
there's about 5,000 lawyers there are
there's about 5,000 lawyers there are
there's about 5,000 lawyers there are
now 25,000 lawyers all these lawyers
now 25,000 lawyers all these lawyers
now 25,000 lawyers all these lawyers
want to make a good dollar and I think
want to make a good dollar and I think
want to make a good dollar and I think
over the years it's been so ingrained
over the years it's been so ingrained
and an industry has been established
over the years it's been so ingrained
and an industry has been established
and an industry has been established
when when you add in the Children's Aid
when when you add in the Children's Aid
when when you add in the Children's Aid
Societies the the enforcement agencies
Societies the the enforcement agencies
Societies the the enforcement agencies
and the other hangers-on as I call them
and the other hangers-on as I call them
and the other hangers-on as I call them
it has become a major industry and it's
it has become a major industry and it's
it has become a major industry and it's
making a lot of profit for a lot of
making a lot of profit for a lot of
making a lot of profit for a lot of
people all right
people all right
people all right
let's talk about that you're suggesting
let's talk about that you're suggesting
let's talk about that you're suggesting
here now that it's such a well-run
here now that it's such a well-run
here now that it's such a well-run
industry I guess and there are so many
industry I guess and there are so many
industry I guess and there are so many
lawyers available that a woman might be
lawyers available that a woman might be
more tempted to or it's easier for her
lawyers available that a woman might be
more tempted to or it's easier for her
more tempted to or it's easier for her
to get a lawyer who says look I can get
to get a lawyer who says look I can get
to get a lawyer who says look I can get
you this this this this and this and
you this this this this and this and
you this this this this and this and
this and there's nothing the husband can
this and there's nothing the husband can
this and there's nothing the husband can
do about it absolutely
do about it absolutely
do about it absolutely
I'll give you a real quick example the
I'll give you a real quick example the
I'll give you a real quick example the
first lawyer I went to see and and
first lawyer I went to see and and
first lawyer I went to see and and
basically was a consultation and I
basically was a consultation and I
basically was a consultation and I
talked to him about mediation and the
talked to him about mediation and the
talked to him about mediation and the
first thing he says to me how was your
first thing he says to me how was your
first thing he says to me how was your
relationship with your ex as far as
relationship with your ex as far as
getting along or your spouse as far as
relationship with your ex as far as
getting along or your spouse as far as
getting along or your spouse as far as
getting along the first thing he said
getting along the first thing he said
getting along the first thing he said
was as far as mediation goes if you can
was as far as mediation goes if you can
was as far as mediation goes if you can
cooperate it's great to mediate but why
cooperate it's great to mediate but why
cooperate it's great to mediate but why
would she mediate when she can go to
would she mediate when she can go to
would she mediate when she can go to
court and get it all and I thought what
court and get it all and I thought what
court and get it all and I thought what
an attitude this guy's got but as it
an attitude this guy's got but as it
an attitude this guy's got but as it
turns out that's exactly what I found
turns out that's exactly what I found
turns out that's exactly what I found
over the last 13 years okay I got to
over the last 13 years okay I got to
over the last 13 years okay I got to
challenge you a little bit on that
challenge you a little bit on that
challenge you a little bit on that
because I know several cases where men
because I know several cases where men
have certainly been taken advantage of
because I know several cases where men
have certainly been taken advantage of
have certainly been taken advantage of
and they do not see their children and
and they do not see their children and
and they do not see their children and
they probably pay far too much money in
they probably pay far too much money in
they probably pay far too much money in
terms of support payments but there are
terms of support payments but there are
terms of support payments but there are
just as many deadbeat dads out there and
just as many deadbeat dads out there and
just as many deadbeat dads out there and
just as many negligent fathers well I'd
just as many negligent fathers well I'd
just as many negligent fathers well I'd
like to see the statistics on that if
like to see the statistics on that if
like to see the statistics on that if
you're if you're looking at the
you're if you're looking at the
you're if you're looking at the
statistics that talk about deadbeat dads
statistics that talk about deadbeat dads
statistics that talk about deadbeat dads
and in my book I covered to a large
and in my book I covered to a large
and in my book I covered to a large
extent the court and the the system
extent the court and the the system
itself the enforcement agencies the
extent the court and the the system
itself the enforcement agencies the
itself the enforcement agencies the
government are the largest creator of
government are the largest creator of
government are the largest creator of
deadbeat debts
deadbeat debts
deadbeat debts
there are about 600,000 custody or
there are about 600,000 custody or
there are about 600,000 custody or
support orders in Canada right now 75%
support orders in Canada right now 75%
support orders in Canada right now 75%
of those or 450,000 of those are in
of those or 450,000 of those are in
of those or 450,000 of those are in
arrears if somebody can tell me that
arrears if somebody can tell me that
arrears if somebody can tell me that
we've got set 450,000 deadbeat dads I
we've got set 450,000 deadbeat dads I
we've got set 450,000 deadbeat dads I
would like to challenge them with that
would like to challenge them with that
would like to challenge them with that
statistic I tell you what Frank the
statistic I tell you what Frank the
statistic I tell you what Frank the
government you're trying to lobby the
government you're trying to lobby the
government to make presumptive joint
government you're trying to lobby the
government to make presumptive joint
government to make presumptive joint
custody the law first of all what is
custody the law first of all what is
custody the law first of all what is
presumptive joint custody says when when
presumptive joint custody says when when
presumptive joint custody says when when
the divorce happens rather than either
the divorce happens rather than either
the divorce happens rather than either
parent having to justify custody of the
parent having to justify custody of the
parent having to justify custody of the
children the presumption is that before
children the presumption is that before
children the presumption is that before
divorce both parents will equal parents
divorce both parents will equal parents
divorce both parents will equal parents
I should that change after divorce so
I should that change after divorce so
I should that change after divorce so
the presumption is that those rules that
the presumption is that those rules that
the presumption is that those rules that
the parents had prior to the divorce
the parents had prior to the divorce
the parents had prior to the divorce
there's no reason that should change
there's no reason that should change
after divorce
there's no reason that should change
after divorce
after divorce
why now decide that the kids need to to
why now decide that the kids need to to
why now decide that the kids need to to
be moved from from two parents don't
be moved from from two parents don't
be moved from from two parents don't
want parents now that would be 1 or 50%
want parents now that would be 1 or 50%
want parents now that would be 1 or 50%
joint custody right 50% access or living
joint custody right 50% access or living
joint custody right 50% access or living
with dad and 50% living with mom is that
with dad and 50% living with mom is that
with dad and 50% living with mom is that
what you mean absolutely now how do any
what you mean absolutely now how do any
what you mean absolutely now how do any
provinces is is that a law anywhere in
provinces is is that a law anywhere in
provinces is is that a law anywhere in
Canada no it is not could it be
Canada no it is not could it be
Canada no it is not could it be
absolutely it makes sense well the thing
absolutely it makes sense well the thing
absolutely it makes sense well the thing
is and that's not you get it done Frank
is and that's not you get it done Frank
how do you go about doing this ready
is and that's not you get it done Frank
how do you go about doing this ready
how do you go about doing this ready
writing a book is all well and good
writing a book is all well and good
writing a book is all well and good
I'm sure you've got the supportive to a
I'm sure you've got the supportive to a
I'm sure you've got the supportive to a
number of fathers who don't get to see
number of fathers who don't get to see
number of fathers who don't get to see
their children as often as they feel
their children as often as they feel
their children as often as they feel
they should how do you get it changed in
they should how do you get it changed in
they should how do you get it changed in
law well right you're absolutely right
law well right you're absolutely right
law well right you're absolutely right
writing a book is not good what it needs
writing a book is not good what it needs
writing a book is not good what it needs
to be what needs to be done is to be
to be what needs to be done is to be
to be what needs to be done is to be
exposed to the public
exposed to the public
exposed to the public
the public needs to generate the the
the public needs to generate the the
wherewithal to change the minds of the
the public needs to generate the the
wherewithal to change the minds of the
wherewithal to change the minds of the
government let's face it in Canada the
government let's face it in Canada the
government let's face it in Canada the
only currency is the vote the
only currency is the vote the
only currency is the vote the
Conservative Party right now has in
Conservative Party right now has in
Conservative Party right now has in
their declaration a presumption to share
their declaration a presumption to share
their declaration a presumption to share
parenting I'm not sure why they're
parenting I'm not sure why they're
parenting I'm not sure why they're
delaying on it it hasn't been one of
delaying on it it hasn't been one of
delaying on it it hasn't been one of
their five priorities hopefully it will
their five priorities hopefully it will
their five priorities hopefully it will
be on the agenda and I've written Prime
be on the agenda and I've written Prime
be on the agenda and I've written Prime
Minister Harper asking when that will
Minister Harper asking when that will
Minister Harper asking when that will
happen I haven't had a response but
happen I haven't had a response but
basically if I think if the public knew
happen I haven't had a response but
basically if I think if the public knew
basically if I think if the public knew
the extent of the of the damage being
the extent of the of the damage being
the extent of the of the damage being
done by the Canadian family justice
done by the Canadian family justice
done by the Canadian family justice
system which is supposedly supposed to
system which is supposedly supposed to
system which is supposedly supposed to
be a pillar of justice human rights and
be a pillar of justice human rights and
be a pillar of justice human rights and
equality for all
equality for all
equality for all
that'll bides by a Charter of Rights and
that'll bides by a Charter of Rights and
that'll bides by a Charter of Rights and
Freedoms what's going on I think if the
Freedoms what's going on I think if the
Freedoms what's going on I think if the
public was aware of what's going on I
public was aware of what's going on I
public was aware of what's going on I
think you would see significant change I
think you would see significant change I
think you would see significant change I
think the issues that are presented if
think the issues that are presented if
we think if we see the family as a
think the issues that are presented if
we think if we see the family as a
we think if we see the family as a
building block as a cornerstone of our
building block as a cornerstone of our
building block as a cornerstone of our
country then the destruction done to
country then the destruction done to
country then the destruction done to
families which affects 50 percent should
families which affects 50 percent should
families which affects 50 percent should
be number one on the priorities it
be number one on the priorities it
be number one on the priorities it
should it should Eclipse everything
should it should Eclipse everything
should it should Eclipse everything
whether it be the Maroni Schreiber
whether it be the Maroni Schreiber
whether it be the Maroni Schreiber
affair whether it be tasers whether it
affair whether it be tasers whether it
affair whether it be tasers whether it
be understood
be understood
be understood
many other issues of the day well with
many other issues of the day well with
many other issues of the day well with
divorce that as you say the 50% rate
divorce that as you say the 50% rate
perhaps it's time that we took a much
divorce that as you say the 50% rate
perhaps it's time that we took a much
perhaps it's time that we took a much
closer look at the way it's handled in
closer look at the way it's handled in
closer look at the way it's handled in
family court Frank Simes is the author
family court Frank Simes is the author
family court Frank Simes is the author
of courts from hell good luck with the
of courts from hell good luck with the
of courts from hell good luck with the
book Frank and thanks for joining us
book Frank and thanks for joining us
book Frank and thanks for joining us
thanks very much flavor beyond